Type: Long(kind of)
Time: 47mins
Distance: 5.65miles
Pace: 8.2m/m
This really was not a good run today. I was completely knackered after staying out late last night and tried to squeeze this long run in between eating and playing squash (with a new partner), but I started far too fast and had to stop twice, also had to walk up a hill once...and my new ipod broke. what good fortune. So I just tried to keep the pace quite fast and cut the run short. I think I'll try to do another long run this week sometime, maybe monday. I'm not too sure.
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Friday 28/12
Type: Steady
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.75miles
Pace: 8.3m/m
I slowed the pace half way through this run because I started too fast. It wasn't very cold which was good, but it was wet and rainy.
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.75miles
Pace: 8.3m/m
I slowed the pace half way through this run because I started too fast. It wasn't very cold which was good, but it was wet and rainy.
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Wednesday 26/12
Type: Speeds
Time: 50mins
Distance: 6.15miles
6min warm up at 8.45m/m
4.2miles of 4x5min speeds at 7.50m/m , with 3 min recoveries between
9 min cool down at 8.50m/m
I went out to the waterworks and did a nice set of speeds on the flat ground with my new nike+ It's actually quite good to have a voice in your ear spurring you on. I lost myself a bit during the second speed, but tried to keep the time up and keep on going. Kept passing the same people over and over too, sometimes slow on recoveries, sometimes fast on speeds. All in all a good run.
Time: 50mins
Distance: 6.15miles
6min warm up at 8.45m/m
4.2miles of 4x5min speeds at 7.50m/m , with 3 min recoveries between
9 min cool down at 8.50m/m
I went out to the waterworks and did a nice set of speeds on the flat ground with my new nike+ It's actually quite good to have a voice in your ear spurring you on. I lost myself a bit during the second speed, but tried to keep the time up and keep on going. Kept passing the same people over and over too, sometimes slow on recoveries, sometimes fast on speeds. All in all a good run.
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Monday 24/12
Type: Easy
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.15miles
Pace: 8.3m/m
26.4mins at this pace followed by the hill at roughly the same pace. This run was really good - I wanted to run today so I could have Christmas day off, so I kept it fairly easy so my legs wouldn't be sore. As it so happened, the run was great. The rest of the day wasn't so good, but the run was. And it was quite Christmassy...Tesco was mobbed!
Merry Christmas!
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.15miles
Pace: 8.3m/m
26.4mins at this pace followed by the hill at roughly the same pace. This run was really good - I wanted to run today so I could have Christmas day off, so I kept it fairly easy so my legs wouldn't be sore. As it so happened, the run was great. The rest of the day wasn't so good, but the run was. And it was quite Christmassy...Tesco was mobbed!
Merry Christmas!
Sunday 23/12
Type: Long
Time: 2hrs
Distance: 13.7miles (offroad)
Went onto the WHW for a long run with my cycling buddy. This was actually a really good run, it was so cold and icey but the paths were very busy and we did a fairly flat route. I ran the majority of the way, besides one incredibly steep path which i walked up...and we both kinda slipped back down... I took a few videos though which was good, and when I got home I had a nice relaxing afternoon before hanging out with a friend at night. Awesome stuff.
Time: 2hrs
Distance: 13.7miles (offroad)
Went onto the WHW for a long run with my cycling buddy. This was actually a really good run, it was so cold and icey but the paths were very busy and we did a fairly flat route. I ran the majority of the way, besides one incredibly steep path which i walked up...and we both kinda slipped back down... I took a few videos though which was good, and when I got home I had a nice relaxing afternoon before hanging out with a friend at night. Awesome stuff.
Friday 21/12
Type: Steady
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.5miles
23.29mins at 8.15m/m pace for 2.85miles then 11.10mins at 8.3m/m.
Plus 2.16 hill at 7.55m/m !
That pace for the hill at the end of the run was actually phenomenal for me! pretty pleased about that. Rest of the run was good, saw my runner next door neighbour who waved, apparently he was out this morning, I wonder if he's training for a race....
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.5miles
23.29mins at 8.15m/m pace for 2.85miles then 11.10mins at 8.3m/m.
Plus 2.16 hill at 7.55m/m !
That pace for the hill at the end of the run was actually phenomenal for me! pretty pleased about that. Rest of the run was good, saw my runner next door neighbour who waved, apparently he was out this morning, I wonder if he's training for a race....
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Thursday 20/12
Type: Speeds
Time: 34mins
Distance: 4.2miles
6.38min easy pace + 3 x 3.30min speeds with 3min recovery jogs + 6min steady
Quite a tough run, the speeds weren't so much "speeds" as they were faster than average pace. I'd had a late night and was pretty tired but did cope quite well. Plus the little 17 sec hill sprint at the end made me feel strangely accomplished...
Time: 34mins
Distance: 4.2miles
6.38min easy pace + 3 x 3.30min speeds with 3min recovery jogs + 6min steady
Quite a tough run, the speeds weren't so much "speeds" as they were faster than average pace. I'd had a late night and was pretty tired but did cope quite well. Plus the little 17 sec hill sprint at the end made me feel strangely accomplished...
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
Tuesday 18/12
Type: Slow
Time: 43mins
Distance: 5miles
Time: 8.45m/m
I kept the pace fairly slow on this run, mainly because I didn't want my legs to become sore from yesterday when they weren't already. It worked well. Had some new music on my ipod and I felt full of energy at the end. Had a 10 minute row afterwards and a nice hot shower. Wore my friend's woolen gloves and my hands were so hot a sweaty! I think some of my birthday money is definitely going towards running gloves!!
Time: 43mins
Distance: 5miles
Time: 8.45m/m
I kept the pace fairly slow on this run, mainly because I didn't want my legs to become sore from yesterday when they weren't already. It worked well. Had some new music on my ipod and I felt full of energy at the end. Had a 10 minute row afterwards and a nice hot shower. Wore my friend's woolen gloves and my hands were so hot a sweaty! I think some of my birthday money is definitely going towards running gloves!!
Monday 17/12
Type: Long
Time: 1hr35mins
Distance: 11.1miles
Pace: 8.33m/m
My 21st birthday! I went a long run before playing squash, and it was great! Although I don't think the temperature was much about 0*C so it was incredibly cold outside! I've begun a training schedule now (on the runnersworld site), and i'm aiming to follow (as closely as I can) the sub 3.30 one. I may need some luck!
Squash was fantastic too. "Anon" got me a raquet for my birthday and it's a good one...I think I could have whipped his ass if I'd been playing to my full potential, though I was a little cold after the run. Also rowed for 10mins, and I've found that eating cashew nuts really helps me keep my strength after I run.
Time: 1hr35mins
Distance: 11.1miles
Pace: 8.33m/m
My 21st birthday! I went a long run before playing squash, and it was great! Although I don't think the temperature was much about 0*C so it was incredibly cold outside! I've begun a training schedule now (on the runnersworld site), and i'm aiming to follow (as closely as I can) the sub 3.30 one. I may need some luck!
Squash was fantastic too. "Anon" got me a raquet for my birthday and it's a good one...I think I could have whipped his ass if I'd been playing to my full potential, though I was a little cold after the run. Also rowed for 10mins, and I've found that eating cashew nuts really helps me keep my strength after I run.
Friday, 14 December 2007
Friday 14/12
Type: Steady
Time: 28mins + 2.20mins hill
Distance: 4miles
Pace: 7.50mm
I am in an extremely good mood today (:
I feel terrible for not updating this! I have a diary full of running times that I've not marked up, mainly because I've forgotten the distances which I did! The longest run I've done recently was 16miles on the West Highland way with my cycling buddy who's hand is completely better now! We've done that route twice recently. I didn't have time to do a long run last weekend unfortunately and I felt myself coming down with a wee cold, so I figured taking one week off shouldn't hurt!
I entered the Edinburgh marathon again and plan to do another half marathon early next year, and one closer to the marathon too (that is if I get in, which I really hope I do!)
I'm going to come on here when I'm off during christmas at some point and update with all the runs I've done. For now though I'll just put in todays run....oh, and it's my 21st birthday on Monday!
Wednesday 12/12
Type: Speeds
Time: 25mins
Distance: 3.45miles
These were 2-3 minute speed sessions with recovery jogs in between. Just a quick one.
Tuesday 11/12
Type: Speeds
Time: 50mins
Distance: 6.2miles
I completely knackered myself after the first of these speeds sessions so i did the others slower. They lasted about 2/3 mins each but they were mainly downhill. I started and ended with a 5-8minute gentle jog but both were uphill and the jog home was fairly tiring.
Monday 10/12
Type: Easy
Time: 36mins
Distance: 4miles
Pace:8.40m/m
I just fancied getting out for this run, since I'd not done my long run yesterday. I was fairly busy at the weekend.
Thursday 6/12
Type: Steady
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.5miles
Can't really remember much about this run, other than I did 17mins at a reasonable pace then sped up for a short while then eased off a little towards the end, so the overall pace wasn't a steady one.
Monday 3/12
Type: Easy
Time: 27mins+2min hill
Distance: 3.7miles
Pace: 8m/m
This was my first run in ages at home. Was good though I'd forgotten how hilly it is!
Time: 28mins + 2.20mins hill
Distance: 4miles
Pace: 7.50mm
I am in an extremely good mood today (:
I feel terrible for not updating this! I have a diary full of running times that I've not marked up, mainly because I've forgotten the distances which I did! The longest run I've done recently was 16miles on the West Highland way with my cycling buddy who's hand is completely better now! We've done that route twice recently. I didn't have time to do a long run last weekend unfortunately and I felt myself coming down with a wee cold, so I figured taking one week off shouldn't hurt!
I entered the Edinburgh marathon again and plan to do another half marathon early next year, and one closer to the marathon too (that is if I get in, which I really hope I do!)
I'm going to come on here when I'm off during christmas at some point and update with all the runs I've done. For now though I'll just put in todays run....oh, and it's my 21st birthday on Monday!
Wednesday 12/12
Type: Speeds
Time: 25mins
Distance: 3.45miles
These were 2-3 minute speed sessions with recovery jogs in between. Just a quick one.
Tuesday 11/12
Type: Speeds
Time: 50mins
Distance: 6.2miles
I completely knackered myself after the first of these speeds sessions so i did the others slower. They lasted about 2/3 mins each but they were mainly downhill. I started and ended with a 5-8minute gentle jog but both were uphill and the jog home was fairly tiring.
Monday 10/12
Type: Easy
Time: 36mins
Distance: 4miles
Pace:8.40m/m
I just fancied getting out for this run, since I'd not done my long run yesterday. I was fairly busy at the weekend.
Thursday 6/12
Type: Steady
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.5miles
Can't really remember much about this run, other than I did 17mins at a reasonable pace then sped up for a short while then eased off a little towards the end, so the overall pace wasn't a steady one.
Monday 3/12
Type: Easy
Time: 27mins+2min hill
Distance: 3.7miles
Pace: 8m/m
This was my first run in ages at home. Was good though I'd forgotten how hilly it is!
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Wednesday 24/10
Type: Easy
Time: 28mins
Distance: 3.10miles
Pace: 8.35m/m
Wasn't planning on running this evening but the thought of sitting studying for hours without some of that post-exercise adrenaline was extreme motivation for me to go out. It was a freezing cold night though and I only had a tank top! I'd only brought my running stuff just incase but turns out that, with the pace a little faster, I stayed pretty warm the whole time. And I've been given a new pair of headphones, woo! I swear, hearing some of those dance tracks at full volume for a change REALLY spurred me on!! I was tingling when I got back to the gym and I swear that was the good music....and probably goosebumps. So thank you to anonymous!
I've actually been itching to get out on the WHW, but my cycling buddy's hand is still healing, he's not to cycle for another 6 weeks or so. Looks like that plan will have to be postponed. Just looking forward to heading out there for a couple of hours one crisp winters day.
Time: 28mins
Distance: 3.10miles
Pace: 8.35m/m
Wasn't planning on running this evening but the thought of sitting studying for hours without some of that post-exercise adrenaline was extreme motivation for me to go out. It was a freezing cold night though and I only had a tank top! I'd only brought my running stuff just incase but turns out that, with the pace a little faster, I stayed pretty warm the whole time. And I've been given a new pair of headphones, woo! I swear, hearing some of those dance tracks at full volume for a change REALLY spurred me on!! I was tingling when I got back to the gym and I swear that was the good music....and probably goosebumps. So thank you to anonymous!
I've actually been itching to get out on the WHW, but my cycling buddy's hand is still healing, he's not to cycle for another 6 weeks or so. Looks like that plan will have to be postponed. Just looking forward to heading out there for a couple of hours one crisp winters day.
Tuesday 23/10
Type: Short Fast
Time: 22mins
Distance: 3.10miles
Pace: 7.20m/m
I went really, really fast here. Somebody overtook me at the very start of the run and I tailed them the whole rest of the way...I must admit it was pretty competative, because I was definitely getting faster...and they definitely knew i was there so they must've been speeding up too! The cheek! I hate overtaking people, but racing somebody up a hill just so they don't overtake you is a bit of a joke. I eventually just gave up, crossed the road and ran back. Would have liked to run longer but I needed to tutor later on that night and I was also playing squash again. I've started to feel a little twinge on the inside of my knees when I run which is a little worrying. Luckily though it's both knees, so I'm hoping that the chance of an injury is minimum. Will take a rest on Thursday and do my usual long run on Saturday, maybe try for a faster 10miles.
Time: 22mins
Distance: 3.10miles
Pace: 7.20m/m
I went really, really fast here. Somebody overtook me at the very start of the run and I tailed them the whole rest of the way...I must admit it was pretty competative, because I was definitely getting faster...and they definitely knew i was there so they must've been speeding up too! The cheek! I hate overtaking people, but racing somebody up a hill just so they don't overtake you is a bit of a joke. I eventually just gave up, crossed the road and ran back. Would have liked to run longer but I needed to tutor later on that night and I was also playing squash again. I've started to feel a little twinge on the inside of my knees when I run which is a little worrying. Luckily though it's both knees, so I'm hoping that the chance of an injury is minimum. Will take a rest on Thursday and do my usual long run on Saturday, maybe try for a faster 10miles.
Monday 22/10
Type: Steady
Time: 36mins
Distance: 4.35miles
Pace: 8.15m/m
A pretty fast paced run. Problem is though, that I have this pretty bad habit these days of just abandoning what I'm doing to get out and run. Okay, so it only takes an hour or so, but Uni work is building up...and my headphones are broken. The music is so quiet - that's annoying.
Time: 36mins
Distance: 4.35miles
Pace: 8.15m/m
A pretty fast paced run. Problem is though, that I have this pretty bad habit these days of just abandoning what I'm doing to get out and run. Okay, so it only takes an hour or so, but Uni work is building up...and my headphones are broken. The music is so quiet - that's annoying.
Saturday 20/10
Type: Long
Time: 1hr20mins
Distance: 8.10miles
Pace: 9.2m/m
I did the first half of this long run really slowly, and then for some reason found a lot of hidden energy in the second half. I pretty much belted the second half (I think it may have been the lucozade kicking in) so I think this pace is extrememly inaccurate. I slept in this morning so didn't have enough time to do a really, really long run (as I was playing squash afterwards) so when that happens, I try to compensate by doing a shorter "long" run but doing it a fair bit faster. And squash afterwards was grrrreat!
Time: 1hr20mins
Distance: 8.10miles
Pace: 9.2m/m
I did the first half of this long run really slowly, and then for some reason found a lot of hidden energy in the second half. I pretty much belted the second half (I think it may have been the lucozade kicking in) so I think this pace is extrememly inaccurate. I slept in this morning so didn't have enough time to do a really, really long run (as I was playing squash afterwards) so when that happens, I try to compensate by doing a shorter "long" run but doing it a fair bit faster. And squash afterwards was grrrreat!
Uh-oh!
I've not posted in so long! I've been extrememly tied down with Uni since I went back and haven't had much time for blogging. After the little lay off I had, I've gotten back into it full swing and have been concentrating on a lot of shorter, faster runs than longer, slower ones. I think a general sum up will do.
Thursday 27/09
Type: Steady
Time: 40.30mins
Distance: 4.6miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Monday 1/10
Type: fartlek
Time: 45mins
Distance: 4miles
Friday 5/10
Type: Fast
Time: 45mins
Distance: 5.4miles
Pace: 8.25m/m
Saturday 6/10
Type: Short fast
Time: 32mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Pace: 8.30m/m
Tuesday 9/10
Type: Steady
Time: 55mins
Distance: 7miles
Pace: 8m/m
This was a really good run, though felt it was a little shorter distance than that.
Wednesday 10/10
Type: Short bursts
Time: 37mins
Distance: 3.9miles
Pace: 9.3m/m
I did this run slowly but every so often I just sprinted a couple of hundred yards. It all started when I was sprinting to get the green man, and I quite enjoyed it. So from then on everytime I saw something cool I just sprinted for a while!
Thursday 11/10
Type: Fast
Time: 37mins
Distance: 5miles
Pace: 7.3m/m
I did a little warm up here and then ran mainly in the 7.40 - 8m/m range.
Saturday 13/10
Type: Long
Time: 1hr25mins
Distance: 9.8miles
Pace: 8.4m/m
This was a really good one too. Felt good afterwards so did 1mile on the treadmill when I got back to the gym before I played squash with a friend. I forgot to mention that I've very much gotten into squash now too, what a great game! And I have a fantastic coach....
Wednesday 17/10
Type: Steady
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Thursday 18/10
Type: Speeds
Time: 25mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Did a 4.30min warm up then did 6 sets of 2min speeds followed by 2 min jogs. It was really good, I especially love sprinting past the traffic as it comes towards you!!!
Friday 19/10
Type: Easy
Time: 33mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Pace: 8.4m/m
Thursday 27/09
Type: Steady
Time: 40.30mins
Distance: 4.6miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Monday 1/10
Type: fartlek
Time: 45mins
Distance: 4miles
Friday 5/10
Type: Fast
Time: 45mins
Distance: 5.4miles
Pace: 8.25m/m
Saturday 6/10
Type: Short fast
Time: 32mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Pace: 8.30m/m
Tuesday 9/10
Type: Steady
Time: 55mins
Distance: 7miles
Pace: 8m/m
This was a really good run, though felt it was a little shorter distance than that.
Wednesday 10/10
Type: Short bursts
Time: 37mins
Distance: 3.9miles
Pace: 9.3m/m
I did this run slowly but every so often I just sprinted a couple of hundred yards. It all started when I was sprinting to get the green man, and I quite enjoyed it. So from then on everytime I saw something cool I just sprinted for a while!
Thursday 11/10
Type: Fast
Time: 37mins
Distance: 5miles
Pace: 7.3m/m
I did a little warm up here and then ran mainly in the 7.40 - 8m/m range.
Saturday 13/10
Type: Long
Time: 1hr25mins
Distance: 9.8miles
Pace: 8.4m/m
This was a really good one too. Felt good afterwards so did 1mile on the treadmill when I got back to the gym before I played squash with a friend. I forgot to mention that I've very much gotten into squash now too, what a great game! And I have a fantastic coach....
Wednesday 17/10
Type: Steady
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Thursday 18/10
Type: Speeds
Time: 25mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Did a 4.30min warm up then did 6 sets of 2min speeds followed by 2 min jogs. It was really good, I especially love sprinting past the traffic as it comes towards you!!!
Friday 19/10
Type: Easy
Time: 33mins
Distance: 3.8miles
Pace: 8.4m/m
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Wednesday 26/09
Type: Long
Time: 1hr15mins
Distance: 8.32miles
Pace: 9m/m
Rating: 6
I felt so good while doing this run that I just kept going. It wasn't especially long but I'm glad I've been having no pains or tiredness since I have been running every day after a bit of a lay-off. My Achilles Tendon does still hurt a bit bt I've been doing plenty of stretches. This run was followed by a 20min row, for 3k.
Time: 1hr15mins
Distance: 8.32miles
Pace: 9m/m
Rating: 6
I felt so good while doing this run that I just kept going. It wasn't especially long but I'm glad I've been having no pains or tiredness since I have been running every day after a bit of a lay-off. My Achilles Tendon does still hurt a bit bt I've been doing plenty of stretches. This run was followed by a 20min row, for 3k.
Tuesday 25/09
Type: Steady/Hilly
Time: 39mins
Distance: 4.66miles
Pace: 8.2m/m
Rating: 5
The middle section of this run was a series of very steep hills which took me about 10 mins end to end. My average pace was about 9.05m/m on the hills, so it was a considerable slow down from before. I had horrible visions of having to stop and walk but I managed just fine. I was a little worried when heading back though because it started to get very dark and it was raining. I also had little in the way of reflectives on, which didn't boost my confidence much.
Also, the end hill took me just over 2 mins to get up, which was a fairly fast pace, all things considered!
Time: 39mins
Distance: 4.66miles
Pace: 8.2m/m
Rating: 5
The middle section of this run was a series of very steep hills which took me about 10 mins end to end. My average pace was about 9.05m/m on the hills, so it was a considerable slow down from before. I had horrible visions of having to stop and walk but I managed just fine. I was a little worried when heading back though because it started to get very dark and it was raining. I also had little in the way of reflectives on, which didn't boost my confidence much.
Also, the end hill took me just over 2 mins to get up, which was a fairly fast pace, all things considered!
24/09
Type: Easy
Time: 35mins
Distance: 3.95miles
Pace: 8.51m/m
Rating: 4
Took me 2mins50 to get up the hill at the end this time. I was expecting that to be the hardest part of the run but it actually wasn't. The run itself was actually surprisingly easy given I hadn't run properly for over a week.
Time: 35mins
Distance: 3.95miles
Pace: 8.51m/m
Rating: 4
Took me 2mins50 to get up the hill at the end this time. I was expecting that to be the hardest part of the run but it actually wasn't. The run itself was actually surprisingly easy given I hadn't run properly for over a week.
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Sunday 23/09
Type: With mum
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 5.15miles
Rating: -
3miles - 44mins - run/walk combo with my mum (she's just started getting back into running)
plus
2.15miles - 20mins - 9.20m/m
Did this run at the waterworks because it's nice and flat up there. I've not ran for over a week, though I didn't really feel any kind of strain or anything, I guess because I was doing it nice and gently. I hope the rest this week helped. I don't think it would have been a good idea to dive into the running given the stresses I was having. But it's primarily sorted now and this is a new chapter in my running. My new goals are another half marathon sometime in the winter (If I can find one) and also to plan my marathon for next year. I'm thinking Edinburgh or London, obviously more so Edinburgh becauase there's so little chance of me actually getting into London.
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 5.15miles
Rating: -
3miles - 44mins - run/walk combo with my mum (she's just started getting back into running)
plus
2.15miles - 20mins - 9.20m/m
Did this run at the waterworks because it's nice and flat up there. I've not ran for over a week, though I didn't really feel any kind of strain or anything, I guess because I was doing it nice and gently. I hope the rest this week helped. I don't think it would have been a good idea to dive into the running given the stresses I was having. But it's primarily sorted now and this is a new chapter in my running. My new goals are another half marathon sometime in the winter (If I can find one) and also to plan my marathon for next year. I'm thinking Edinburgh or London, obviously more so Edinburgh becauase there's so little chance of me actually getting into London.
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Friday 14/09
Type: Alternating
Time: 47mins
Distance: 5.38miles
Rating: 8
23mins13 - 2.7miles - 8.35m/m
12mins - 1.35miles - 8.55m/m
9mins10 - 1.08miles - 8.30m/m
2mins10 - 0.3miles - 8.55m/m
This run was very tough, I hadn't had enough sleep the night before and I've also been a little stressed, so have lost my appetite. I was very much up for this session though half way out I really started to feel the toughness. Also, I'm not sure but I think I have a mental scarring about the road I was running on! See, it's a flat road and about 2miles long, but I'm absolutely positive that it slopes upwards. I start out with the best of intentions but once I get out about 1/2mile I'm absolutely exhausted and need to stop. It doesn't happen on any other road...and this one seems to be completely flat too! What's with that?
I think I've been pushing it a bit recently, especially with the gym sessions so I think I'm going to take a little break this weekend, maybe into next week too. I have a few things planned, and I'd like to settle back down into my routine before I have a run which is so tough it puts me off.
Time: 47mins
Distance: 5.38miles
Rating: 8
23mins13 - 2.7miles - 8.35m/m
12mins - 1.35miles - 8.55m/m
9mins10 - 1.08miles - 8.30m/m
2mins10 - 0.3miles - 8.55m/m
This run was very tough, I hadn't had enough sleep the night before and I've also been a little stressed, so have lost my appetite. I was very much up for this session though half way out I really started to feel the toughness. Also, I'm not sure but I think I have a mental scarring about the road I was running on! See, it's a flat road and about 2miles long, but I'm absolutely positive that it slopes upwards. I start out with the best of intentions but once I get out about 1/2mile I'm absolutely exhausted and need to stop. It doesn't happen on any other road...and this one seems to be completely flat too! What's with that?
I think I've been pushing it a bit recently, especially with the gym sessions so I think I'm going to take a little break this weekend, maybe into next week too. I have a few things planned, and I'd like to settle back down into my routine before I have a run which is so tough it puts me off.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Tuesday 11/09
Type: Short
Time: 20mins
Distance: 2.38miles
Pace: 8.30m/m
Rating: 5
I wasn't planning on running today but I felt quite "stressed" after work so went to the gym and ran in the west end. (The reason I put stressed like that is because my job isn't really very stressful most of the time...it's very satisfying actually, I just hate sitting still for 5 hours at a time) I headed out the usual route but my battery went dead in my ipod, and I was really getting into the music, so I decided to up the pace and just do a very shortened version of my run back to the gym again. When I got back, I did some cross training to give my Achilles Tendon a wee rest (it's been hurting a bit more recently - especially when I stood back up from my desk after my run yesterday) Here's my very light cross training diary:10mins rowing10mins cycling 20mins total body x-trainer
The machines at the gym have now had tv's installed in them and so it's a little bit more interesting than simply working out to music...although I still think running outside beats everything I did this afternoon. However - something interesting - I checked my heart rate on some of the machines today. I've not checked it since my heart rate monitor broke a couple of months ago. On the bike it was 135bpm when I was going fairly slowly. On the x-trainer it was 145bpm when I was pushing it slightly. Now I've been looking over the training diary which I kept from 1st October last year, and I've noticed that my heart rate used to be (on average) about 150-155bpm on the cross trainer and about 150-160 when I was cycling. So it has lowered quite significantly, and when I say "pushing it", I wasn't even breathing through my mouth which is good.
On another note, I've been looking to enter another race - I'm thinking a Cancer Research Race For Life 10k in Edinburgh. I'd like to raise money with a run sometime, and I think that is an excellent cause. Anyway, I'm also going to enter another half marathon because I think that is my favourite distance! I'm going to look for some big ones, even if they're not in Scotland I think I could make a wee holiday out of it if I travelled for one. There is a 10k in Inverness which has an absolutely stunning course, and I would love to do that but it's perhaps a bit soon after I go back to Uni, so I'll have to wait and see.
Oh, and my cycling friend has broken his hand whilst out on the West Highland Way! It's in a cast and he won't be able to cycle for a while, which is a real shame. Wishing him good luck and a speedy recovery.
Time: 20mins
Distance: 2.38miles
Pace: 8.30m/m
Rating: 5
I wasn't planning on running today but I felt quite "stressed" after work so went to the gym and ran in the west end. (The reason I put stressed like that is because my job isn't really very stressful most of the time...it's very satisfying actually, I just hate sitting still for 5 hours at a time) I headed out the usual route but my battery went dead in my ipod, and I was really getting into the music, so I decided to up the pace and just do a very shortened version of my run back to the gym again. When I got back, I did some cross training to give my Achilles Tendon a wee rest (it's been hurting a bit more recently - especially when I stood back up from my desk after my run yesterday) Here's my very light cross training diary:10mins rowing10mins cycling 20mins total body x-trainer
The machines at the gym have now had tv's installed in them and so it's a little bit more interesting than simply working out to music...although I still think running outside beats everything I did this afternoon. However - something interesting - I checked my heart rate on some of the machines today. I've not checked it since my heart rate monitor broke a couple of months ago. On the bike it was 135bpm when I was going fairly slowly. On the x-trainer it was 145bpm when I was pushing it slightly. Now I've been looking over the training diary which I kept from 1st October last year, and I've noticed that my heart rate used to be (on average) about 150-155bpm on the cross trainer and about 150-160 when I was cycling. So it has lowered quite significantly, and when I say "pushing it", I wasn't even breathing through my mouth which is good.
On another note, I've been looking to enter another race - I'm thinking a Cancer Research Race For Life 10k in Edinburgh. I'd like to raise money with a run sometime, and I think that is an excellent cause. Anyway, I'm also going to enter another half marathon because I think that is my favourite distance! I'm going to look for some big ones, even if they're not in Scotland I think I could make a wee holiday out of it if I travelled for one. There is a 10k in Inverness which has an absolutely stunning course, and I would love to do that but it's perhaps a bit soon after I go back to Uni, so I'll have to wait and see.
Oh, and my cycling friend has broken his hand whilst out on the West Highland Way! It's in a cast and he won't be able to cycle for a while, which is a real shame. Wishing him good luck and a speedy recovery.
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Monday 10/09
Type: Long(ish)
Time: 1hr22mins
Distance: 9.5miles
Pace: 8.4m/m
Rating: 7
The pace here is perhaps a little inaccurate, my pace was really all over the place. I belted the first couple of miles, slowed in the middle and then belted the last few too. I blame the stupid car game. It really is addictive. Today I was racing the 159 all the way from St Georges X to Hyndland (where I lost it) but I managed to pretty much keep up with it the whole way, so I must've been doing some speed.
Add to that, that I saw my old driving instructor, though wasn't entirely sure if it was her or not. So I sprinted about half a mile up a hill to try and catch up with her car. Turns out it was her, but she didn't see me. I don't blame her really - I'm glad she never took her eyes off of what I was doing when I was learning to drive in her car!!
It was really hot today too. I had planned to go on for longer but I ran out of water. Stopped in Bradfords where the kind lady filled me up, but I went through that pretty quickly too. I also felt kind of drained. I was camping at the weekend and hardly ate at all...I can't really afford to buy meals out anymore! On Sunday I hardly ate anything at all - I had such a long, bad drive down from Fort William and by the time I got in at 8.45pm I just wanted my bed. So I think my theory was right - I know it's obvious, but the more you eat (well, the more proper meals) the better you are at running. My eating patterns have been all over the place this last wee while, I think it's just trying to balance the times I run with working, and doing Uni work too. If I run in the morning, have lunch at work and then go to Uni, by the time I get home at 7ish I have no appetite....which means that the following morning I'm sapped and knackered.
Anyway, I'm not complaining. On that note though the Mountain Biking Championships were great! The cross country wasn't as good as the downhill - that was awesome. Biking seems like a good sport, but I must say I still think I prefer running - it's much cheaper and more practical. You can run anywhere! (provided you have your running shoes, obviously) Also, I can't see how there can be any greater achievement between the two than running a marathon. You put in months of training and you literally move yourself 26.2miles...on your own feet. On a bike, okay you can achieve some fantastic things if you train, but still, you're not exactly moving yourself - it's you AND the bike. The bike is moving, you're just helping it move along. But who am I to judge.
Time: 1hr22mins
Distance: 9.5miles
Pace: 8.4m/m
Rating: 7
The pace here is perhaps a little inaccurate, my pace was really all over the place. I belted the first couple of miles, slowed in the middle and then belted the last few too. I blame the stupid car game. It really is addictive. Today I was racing the 159 all the way from St Georges X to Hyndland (where I lost it) but I managed to pretty much keep up with it the whole way, so I must've been doing some speed.
Add to that, that I saw my old driving instructor, though wasn't entirely sure if it was her or not. So I sprinted about half a mile up a hill to try and catch up with her car. Turns out it was her, but she didn't see me. I don't blame her really - I'm glad she never took her eyes off of what I was doing when I was learning to drive in her car!!
It was really hot today too. I had planned to go on for longer but I ran out of water. Stopped in Bradfords where the kind lady filled me up, but I went through that pretty quickly too. I also felt kind of drained. I was camping at the weekend and hardly ate at all...I can't really afford to buy meals out anymore! On Sunday I hardly ate anything at all - I had such a long, bad drive down from Fort William and by the time I got in at 8.45pm I just wanted my bed. So I think my theory was right - I know it's obvious, but the more you eat (well, the more proper meals) the better you are at running. My eating patterns have been all over the place this last wee while, I think it's just trying to balance the times I run with working, and doing Uni work too. If I run in the morning, have lunch at work and then go to Uni, by the time I get home at 7ish I have no appetite....which means that the following morning I'm sapped and knackered.
Anyway, I'm not complaining. On that note though the Mountain Biking Championships were great! The cross country wasn't as good as the downhill - that was awesome. Biking seems like a good sport, but I must say I still think I prefer running - it's much cheaper and more practical. You can run anywhere! (provided you have your running shoes, obviously) Also, I can't see how there can be any greater achievement between the two than running a marathon. You put in months of training and you literally move yourself 26.2miles...on your own feet. On a bike, okay you can achieve some fantastic things if you train, but still, you're not exactly moving yourself - it's you AND the bike. The bike is moving, you're just helping it move along. But who am I to judge.
Friday 7/09 (Run 2)
Type: Steady
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.4miles
Pace: 8.31m/m
Rating: 3
This run was absolutely fantastic! I ran really late at night before joining my dad and some friends for a well earned drink (and by drink I mean cup of tea, haha) I didn't have a route in mind when I headed out - I just strapped the reflectives on and headed down the road. I like running when there's no traffic because I love to run on the roads (keeping an eye out obviously)
The reason this run was so easy, I've deduced, is because I had my dinner about an hour and a half before I went out. Pasta, quorn dippers (kind of like chicken dippers but...well...made with quorn) and beans. So I think I had a good mix of things in there and it really did fuel me. I think that's maybe why I struggle on some of my morning runs - because I don't eat late enough the night before...so consequently I've no energy when I actually do run. I'll need to test this theory.
I've also become obsessed with this song which I think I must've mistakenly put on my ipod - "Charlotte" by Air Traffic. It's brilliant! It came on just as I was sprinting up a hill and I swear it kept me going. I was so shocked at how fast I went during most of this run - for once I think I actually kept the pace the whole way through, which made that cup of tea afterwards all the more satisfying...
Time: 29mins
Distance: 3.4miles
Pace: 8.31m/m
Rating: 3
This run was absolutely fantastic! I ran really late at night before joining my dad and some friends for a well earned drink (and by drink I mean cup of tea, haha) I didn't have a route in mind when I headed out - I just strapped the reflectives on and headed down the road. I like running when there's no traffic because I love to run on the roads (keeping an eye out obviously)
The reason this run was so easy, I've deduced, is because I had my dinner about an hour and a half before I went out. Pasta, quorn dippers (kind of like chicken dippers but...well...made with quorn) and beans. So I think I had a good mix of things in there and it really did fuel me. I think that's maybe why I struggle on some of my morning runs - because I don't eat late enough the night before...so consequently I've no energy when I actually do run. I'll need to test this theory.
I've also become obsessed with this song which I think I must've mistakenly put on my ipod - "Charlotte" by Air Traffic. It's brilliant! It came on just as I was sprinting up a hill and I swear it kept me going. I was so shocked at how fast I went during most of this run - for once I think I actually kept the pace the whole way through, which made that cup of tea afterwards all the more satisfying...
Friday, 7 September 2007
Friday 7/09
Type: Easy
Time: 26mins40secs
Distance: 3.17miles
Pace: 8.25m/m
Rating: 5
PLUS 2mins14secs - 0.28miles - 7.58m/m uphill run.
I thought it might be fun if I began to record my times for the hill at the end of the run. I wasn't actually planning to run the whole way up, I was going to take the early turn off to my house but then 2 postal workers crossed the road and, not that I try to impress people or anything, but I just kept bolting up and on. My breaths were burning in my lungs afterwards, however I felt great. It's nice sometimes to just play things by ear - just go where you want and run as fast as you want without any planned destination in mind. I wasn't even planning on running today but I woke up at 3.30am and couldn't get back to sleep (I dreamt I was trying to hold a shark still which got away from me into my bed) I finally did get back to sleep and was planning a lie in but I woke up at 8am and was wide awake, so set out for a wee easy run.
I went to see Run, Fatboy, Run last night. It was fantastic! Although highly unrealistic...I mean, I did months of training for the Edinburgh Marathon and - okay fair enough I ran the whole way, didn't limp on a sprained ankle - but still, I found it bloody hard!! Okay, beingway too critical here. Excellent film. Even more excellent when your friend keeps turning to you every minute of the film going "is that really how it feels?" or "why the f**k do you do that, man?"
Ah she doesn't get it, but she rocks nonetheless.
Time: 26mins40secs
Distance: 3.17miles
Pace: 8.25m/m
Rating: 5
PLUS 2mins14secs - 0.28miles - 7.58m/m uphill run.
I thought it might be fun if I began to record my times for the hill at the end of the run. I wasn't actually planning to run the whole way up, I was going to take the early turn off to my house but then 2 postal workers crossed the road and, not that I try to impress people or anything, but I just kept bolting up and on. My breaths were burning in my lungs afterwards, however I felt great. It's nice sometimes to just play things by ear - just go where you want and run as fast as you want without any planned destination in mind. I wasn't even planning on running today but I woke up at 3.30am and couldn't get back to sleep (I dreamt I was trying to hold a shark still which got away from me into my bed) I finally did get back to sleep and was planning a lie in but I woke up at 8am and was wide awake, so set out for a wee easy run.
I went to see Run, Fatboy, Run last night. It was fantastic! Although highly unrealistic...I mean, I did months of training for the Edinburgh Marathon and - okay fair enough I ran the whole way, didn't limp on a sprained ankle - but still, I found it bloody hard!! Okay, beingway too critical here. Excellent film. Even more excellent when your friend keeps turning to you every minute of the film going "is that really how it feels?" or "why the f**k do you do that, man?"
Ah she doesn't get it, but she rocks nonetheless.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Injury
I think I know what my heel pain is: Achilles Tendon Bursitis.
This is, of course, after some online self-diagnosis. Maybe not the best way to do things, but from http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://cms.depuy.com/display%3FdocId%3D20007&imgrefurl=http://www.allaboutmydoc.com/surgeonweb/clinicId.17281/theme.theme10/country.US/language.en/page.article/docId.20003&h=300&w=300&sz=18&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=ik8awnS9F1bwZM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAchilles%2BTendon%2BBursitis%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN (about 1/4 way down the page) it all becomes clear. Where the sight of inflammation is, that's where my heel hurts.
Here's a closer up image: http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/foot/foot_achilles/foot_achilles_tendon_anatomy03.jpg
Now, my heel isn't particularly bad - I'd say in fact that it has gotten better since I first felt the pain. However, I'm happy I know what it is. Honestly, the number of times I've done internet self-diagnosis, found out that I "have" horrific injuries which will prevent me running for weeks, and then consequently put the laptop away and head out for a run to mull over my options from the sheer stress of the situation...I've lost count.
So really, I'm not planning to stop running because of this, but I will try and do less hills. I think the hills are the things which cause the pain to flare up. I often wonder what it'd be like if I spoke to a sports physio...told them about all the injuries I've had and how I could have prevented them. The worst injury I've ever had was in February this year - doing speeds on the treadmill (of all places) - about 30mins into it I remember this horrible, horrible pain in my forefoot making itself known. Normally, I just run through pain and hope it goes away, but this - this was terrible. I stopped running and hobbled to the changing room, got changed for my lecture and the walk there was horrific! I even put off leaving there at the end of the day because it hurt so much to walk. When I self-diagnosed that time, I found out that I had second/third metatarsal problems, so I rested and the pain did go...though not entirely. And I felt so guilty about not running, I got back into it within 2 weeks.
Anyway, the point of this post is that I know what the problem is now. Rockin.
This is, of course, after some online self-diagnosis. Maybe not the best way to do things, but from http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://cms.depuy.com/display%3FdocId%3D20007&imgrefurl=http://www.allaboutmydoc.com/surgeonweb/clinicId.17281/theme.theme10/country.US/language.en/page.article/docId.20003&h=300&w=300&sz=18&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=ik8awnS9F1bwZM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAchilles%2BTendon%2BBursitis%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN (about 1/4 way down the page) it all becomes clear. Where the sight of inflammation is, that's where my heel hurts.
Here's a closer up image: http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/foot/foot_achilles/foot_achilles_tendon_anatomy03.jpg
Now, my heel isn't particularly bad - I'd say in fact that it has gotten better since I first felt the pain. However, I'm happy I know what it is. Honestly, the number of times I've done internet self-diagnosis, found out that I "have" horrific injuries which will prevent me running for weeks, and then consequently put the laptop away and head out for a run to mull over my options from the sheer stress of the situation...I've lost count.
So really, I'm not planning to stop running because of this, but I will try and do less hills. I think the hills are the things which cause the pain to flare up. I often wonder what it'd be like if I spoke to a sports physio...told them about all the injuries I've had and how I could have prevented them. The worst injury I've ever had was in February this year - doing speeds on the treadmill (of all places) - about 30mins into it I remember this horrible, horrible pain in my forefoot making itself known. Normally, I just run through pain and hope it goes away, but this - this was terrible. I stopped running and hobbled to the changing room, got changed for my lecture and the walk there was horrific! I even put off leaving there at the end of the day because it hurt so much to walk. When I self-diagnosed that time, I found out that I had second/third metatarsal problems, so I rested and the pain did go...though not entirely. And I felt so guilty about not running, I got back into it within 2 weeks.
Anyway, the point of this post is that I know what the problem is now. Rockin.
Thursday 6/09
Type: Steady/Speeds
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.9miles
Rating: 7
10mins50 - 1.23miles - 8.48m/m warm up
9mins - 1.2miles - 8.10m/m (plus a few short bursts)
8.36mins - 1mile - 8.36m/m (then 5 min stretch)
17mins - 2miles - 8.54m/m (hilly)
2mins30 - 0.28miles - 8.55m/m
This was pretty much a run including everything, I'm not sure what made me do that...maybe the fact that I like to decide what kind of run I'm going to do before I leave the house, and today I hadn't done that. The first part was largely downhill, hence the speed. Mind you, part of that speed was racing to make the pedestrian crossings - always a good excuse for some long strides. The stretch in the middle was good too - I stopped on the main road by a wee path leading into my sister's friend's house (or mansion, should I say?) and did some quad stretches there. My achilles tendon has been very tense so when I stop I lift myself up and down onto my tiptoes for a few minutes. I'm not sure if that's a good thing to do, but it does seem to loosen things up. Having said that, I remember about 6 months ago I went to the waterworks (a completely flat route) and , after warming up, ran on my tiptoes for a while...and consequently did my ankle in.
It's always good when you learn from your mistakes....
The last part of this run was recorded for no purpose other than to see what my average pace is on going up the dreaded final hill of my runs. And, as shown, it's pretty much the same as my pace before that. Rock on. Maybe a good session would be speeding up the hill and then walking back down it over and over again? We'll see.
I plan to leave a rest day tomorrow so I can have a wee long lie in the morning. I might do an easy run in the west end before the gym closes, I don't know. This weekend I'll most likely be out of Glasgow, so I'm going to get up early on Saturday morning and find a flat place - either the school's running track or the waterworks - and I'm going to do laps. I think the waterworks is about a mile around, but you can cut parts out of that, or do figure of 8's. Anyway, we'll see.
On another note (and one completely unrelated), I bought some shoes yesterday which were reduced to £10. When I took them to the till I chanced my arm asking if I could get a student discount on top of that....and the cashier said yes! Wooo hoo! Okay, so the discount was £1, but still! Shoes for £9...there isn't much sweeter in this overpriced universe. So there, head down to Topshop for great savings, that's my advice for the day. My second piece of advice is go to Uni and get a student discount on EVERYTHING. I get money off apples man, it's absolutely insane. Of course, the downside is that it is then tempting to buy things just so you can get a student discount, kinda counterproductive I know, but it's like a disease...some kind of awesome, poverty inducing yet oh-so-feel-good disease which makes life just that bit more interesting.
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.9miles
Rating: 7
10mins50 - 1.23miles - 8.48m/m warm up
9mins - 1.2miles - 8.10m/m (plus a few short bursts)
8.36mins - 1mile - 8.36m/m (then 5 min stretch)
17mins - 2miles - 8.54m/m (hilly)
2mins30 - 0.28miles - 8.55m/m
This was pretty much a run including everything, I'm not sure what made me do that...maybe the fact that I like to decide what kind of run I'm going to do before I leave the house, and today I hadn't done that. The first part was largely downhill, hence the speed. Mind you, part of that speed was racing to make the pedestrian crossings - always a good excuse for some long strides. The stretch in the middle was good too - I stopped on the main road by a wee path leading into my sister's friend's house (or mansion, should I say?) and did some quad stretches there. My achilles tendon has been very tense so when I stop I lift myself up and down onto my tiptoes for a few minutes. I'm not sure if that's a good thing to do, but it does seem to loosen things up. Having said that, I remember about 6 months ago I went to the waterworks (a completely flat route) and , after warming up, ran on my tiptoes for a while...and consequently did my ankle in.
It's always good when you learn from your mistakes....
The last part of this run was recorded for no purpose other than to see what my average pace is on going up the dreaded final hill of my runs. And, as shown, it's pretty much the same as my pace before that. Rock on. Maybe a good session would be speeding up the hill and then walking back down it over and over again? We'll see.
I plan to leave a rest day tomorrow so I can have a wee long lie in the morning. I might do an easy run in the west end before the gym closes, I don't know. This weekend I'll most likely be out of Glasgow, so I'm going to get up early on Saturday morning and find a flat place - either the school's running track or the waterworks - and I'm going to do laps. I think the waterworks is about a mile around, but you can cut parts out of that, or do figure of 8's. Anyway, we'll see.
On another note (and one completely unrelated), I bought some shoes yesterday which were reduced to £10. When I took them to the till I chanced my arm asking if I could get a student discount on top of that....and the cashier said yes! Wooo hoo! Okay, so the discount was £1, but still! Shoes for £9...there isn't much sweeter in this overpriced universe. So there, head down to Topshop for great savings, that's my advice for the day. My second piece of advice is go to Uni and get a student discount on EVERYTHING. I get money off apples man, it's absolutely insane. Of course, the downside is that it is then tempting to buy things just so you can get a student discount, kinda counterproductive I know, but it's like a disease...some kind of awesome, poverty inducing yet oh-so-feel-good disease which makes life just that bit more interesting.
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
Wednesday 5/09
Type: Steady/Easy
Time: 43mins
Distance: 4.85miles
Rating: 6.5
29mins40 - 3.33miles - 8.54m/m (then a 3minute stop to stretch)
5mins50 - 0.70miles - 8.20m/m
7mins20 - 0.85miles - 8.37m/m
Wanted to keep this an easy run, though my speed did creep up in the middle. Felt a little tight after 2 days rest so really think the stretch helped, and I managed to do it in the middle of a wooded area where little rabbits were bobbing about and stuff. It was cool. The start of this run also included the woodlands where I used to finish all my long runs, except I ran it backwards (not physically, obviously). Also passed a few dogs which I kept my eye on constantly! Luckily though, their owners called them all back to them...apart from the one dog which wouldn't be called back because it was so interested in eating the dirt at the side of the river...I really, really want a kitten for my 21st birthday but I've been warned I'm not allowed one until I move out. That's not so good at all.
Anyway, I've been looking for my next race, I think I've been bitten by the bug! I'd love to do another half marathon in a couple of months and really push myself to beat 1hr45. And I've been thinking about my next marathon. I want to apply for London, but truthfully, I'm not sure it's at the right time. It would be at the very start of my exams, so I don't know if that would be better than doing the Edinburgh marathon during my exams...I know that the running would give me a bit of time to myself from the studying, but I'm not sure if I could get the balance quite right. I'd love to do another big marathon somewhere where there's amazing scenery - both town and country, but I'll need to look into that a bit more.
Time: 43mins
Distance: 4.85miles
Rating: 6.5
29mins40 - 3.33miles - 8.54m/m (then a 3minute stop to stretch)
5mins50 - 0.70miles - 8.20m/m
7mins20 - 0.85miles - 8.37m/m
Wanted to keep this an easy run, though my speed did creep up in the middle. Felt a little tight after 2 days rest so really think the stretch helped, and I managed to do it in the middle of a wooded area where little rabbits were bobbing about and stuff. It was cool. The start of this run also included the woodlands where I used to finish all my long runs, except I ran it backwards (not physically, obviously). Also passed a few dogs which I kept my eye on constantly! Luckily though, their owners called them all back to them...apart from the one dog which wouldn't be called back because it was so interested in eating the dirt at the side of the river...I really, really want a kitten for my 21st birthday but I've been warned I'm not allowed one until I move out. That's not so good at all.
Anyway, I've been looking for my next race, I think I've been bitten by the bug! I'd love to do another half marathon in a couple of months and really push myself to beat 1hr45. And I've been thinking about my next marathon. I want to apply for London, but truthfully, I'm not sure it's at the right time. It would be at the very start of my exams, so I don't know if that would be better than doing the Edinburgh marathon during my exams...I know that the running would give me a bit of time to myself from the studying, but I'm not sure if I could get the balance quite right. I'd love to do another big marathon somewhere where there's amazing scenery - both town and country, but I'll need to look into that a bit more.
Sunday, 2 September 2007
Sunday 2/09
Great Scottish Run Half Marathon
Time: 1hr47mins
Distance: 13.1miles
Pace: 8.18m/m
Rating:8
I don't know where to begin! First off, I need to point out that while I did have my heart set on beating my half marathon pb, somewhere deeper down I know I wasn't going to beat it. Since the marathon I've been concentrating mainly on speed rather than distance, which makes me think that if I'd done the 10k I could have probably gotten a rather good time. But, what's a 10k when you've the chance to do a half marathon.
The route was absolutely fantastic, across the Kingston Bridge (always excellent!), through Bellahouston Park, Pollock Park (which is actually superb! They have Heelan' Coos roaming about in there!!) and the run up to and through Glasgow Green is great too. I must admit that there were a couple of points which lessened the enjoyment of the run a little though.
Firstly, the congestion at the start. Now I know that it's a given on a race of this size, but being stuck behind people unable to scoot ahead for the first mile or so was a bit frustrating. I was going to actually start at the back of the "white" runner's assembly, but I decided against it. That may have helped me out a little in retrospect.
Another thing was that there were a few gradual slopes upward which did get the better of me. Especially entering Pollock Park. My pace slowed considerably there, and I caught sight of a few people stopping and walking too. Despite this, the second half of the race was very much downhill, so I felt I managed to creep back into a good pace there.
Having said that, there were also a few things which really made the run fantastic. At about 7miles there were people outside their houses handing out water and orange segments and giving runners a gentle sprinkle with the hose. That was awesome! So kind of those people. I doubt theyll ever read this but that really was an act of total kindness and I'd love to have the chance to thank them. Also, at the end of the run we were given space blankets! They are the cosiest things, I have to say. That was an excellent idea, it made the drive home a lot less uncomfortable - there's nothing worse than being freezing cold after you stop running.
All in all, a great morning. I was out pretty late at a party last night and I'm absoultely shattered now, however. At the party I was chatting to a girl who'd run the GSR 10k last year too - she told me that she'd taken up running to help her asthma and it had. She now has less attacks than she used to and feels she can breathe more easily. I thought that was a really encouraging story.
Anyway, I'm off for a nice cup of tea and perhaps a well-earned empire biscuit now. I think I'm still on the adrenaline high from crossing the finish line - if there is a better high out there, I've yet to experience it.
Time: 1hr47mins
Distance: 13.1miles
Pace: 8.18m/m
Rating:8
I don't know where to begin! First off, I need to point out that while I did have my heart set on beating my half marathon pb, somewhere deeper down I know I wasn't going to beat it. Since the marathon I've been concentrating mainly on speed rather than distance, which makes me think that if I'd done the 10k I could have probably gotten a rather good time. But, what's a 10k when you've the chance to do a half marathon.
The route was absolutely fantastic, across the Kingston Bridge (always excellent!), through Bellahouston Park, Pollock Park (which is actually superb! They have Heelan' Coos roaming about in there!!) and the run up to and through Glasgow Green is great too. I must admit that there were a couple of points which lessened the enjoyment of the run a little though.
Firstly, the congestion at the start. Now I know that it's a given on a race of this size, but being stuck behind people unable to scoot ahead for the first mile or so was a bit frustrating. I was going to actually start at the back of the "white" runner's assembly, but I decided against it. That may have helped me out a little in retrospect.
Another thing was that there were a few gradual slopes upward which did get the better of me. Especially entering Pollock Park. My pace slowed considerably there, and I caught sight of a few people stopping and walking too. Despite this, the second half of the race was very much downhill, so I felt I managed to creep back into a good pace there.
Having said that, there were also a few things which really made the run fantastic. At about 7miles there were people outside their houses handing out water and orange segments and giving runners a gentle sprinkle with the hose. That was awesome! So kind of those people. I doubt theyll ever read this but that really was an act of total kindness and I'd love to have the chance to thank them. Also, at the end of the run we were given space blankets! They are the cosiest things, I have to say. That was an excellent idea, it made the drive home a lot less uncomfortable - there's nothing worse than being freezing cold after you stop running.
All in all, a great morning. I was out pretty late at a party last night and I'm absoultely shattered now, however. At the party I was chatting to a girl who'd run the GSR 10k last year too - she told me that she'd taken up running to help her asthma and it had. She now has less attacks than she used to and feels she can breathe more easily. I thought that was a really encouraging story.
Anyway, I'm off for a nice cup of tea and perhaps a well-earned empire biscuit now. I think I'm still on the adrenaline high from crossing the finish line - if there is a better high out there, I've yet to experience it.
Saturday 1/09
Type: Easy
Time: 30mins23secs
Distance: 3.4miles
Pace: 8.56m/m
Rating: 3.5
This was just an easy run because I was travelling on Friday, so didn't get a chance to run. I wanted to loosen up my legs so I headed out after having had a little nap after shopping with my mum. We got a flat tyre and my mum was so awesome in changing it! We had it done in next to no time at all, despite my dad's telephone instructions including the words "see if there are any men around who can help you"...tskkkk. I was so proud of my mum, though a bit disappointed because the only people who stopped and offered to help were a woman and her kids. It was really funny actually because my mum and I were stamping on the spanner thing to unscrew the nuts, and the woman who came up to us said "let me have a go, I can add another stone onto that weight!" It was really funny, and she actually did get them all unscrewed.
So that as a little traumatic and I needed a little nap before I ran, naturally. When I got out I went as slow as possible, though this pace was actually faster than I thought.
Time: 30mins23secs
Distance: 3.4miles
Pace: 8.56m/m
Rating: 3.5
This was just an easy run because I was travelling on Friday, so didn't get a chance to run. I wanted to loosen up my legs so I headed out after having had a little nap after shopping with my mum. We got a flat tyre and my mum was so awesome in changing it! We had it done in next to no time at all, despite my dad's telephone instructions including the words "see if there are any men around who can help you"...tskkkk. I was so proud of my mum, though a bit disappointed because the only people who stopped and offered to help were a woman and her kids. It was really funny actually because my mum and I were stamping on the spanner thing to unscrew the nuts, and the woman who came up to us said "let me have a go, I can add another stone onto that weight!" It was really funny, and she actually did get them all unscrewed.
So that as a little traumatic and I needed a little nap before I ran, naturally. When I got out I went as slow as possible, though this pace was actually faster than I thought.
Thursday, 30 August 2007
Thursday 30/08
Type: Steady/Hilly
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.71miles
Rating: 8
19mins - 2.2miles - 8.40m/m
20mins - 4.7miles - 8.50m/m
The first half of this run was did with a fairly steady pace, which I was quite enjoying. Then however I decided to turn around and do an route I used to do.
That was a bad idea. I'm not sure if I was too tired (I am really tired these days) or if the route was just TOO hilly, but it made me so tired. I wanted to go back to bed when I got in. I vow I won't do that route again, not without having eaten first, or without water at least. I'll need to take a few days rest before Sunday - try and eat well and get a lot of sleep in. I'm out the night before the half so I will really need to make sure it doesn't interfere. I want to be at my peak on Sunday.
As well as this, today something really bad happened. I was running down a forest path and there was a woman walking a fair bit ahead of her dog. The dog stopped and watched me then when I passed, came running alongside me, which was fine...until it then ran behind me. It got tangled in my feet and tripped me up really badly. I had such a struggle to stop myself falling flat on my face, it gave me such a fright. I didn't hurt myself thankfully, but the woman heard my loud footsteps as I scrambled along the ground trying to keep upright and asked if the dog had gotten in my way. I told her that I had tripped over it, and she proceeded to pet the dog and say "good boy, there there" as if the dog was more traumatised than I was! Ok, dogs are stupid, I can accept that, but owners should always know where their stupid dogs are and make sure they're not getting in people's ways. If that had been a little kid running and the dog had tripped up the little kid, I'm sure the woman would have been a lot more sympathetic.
Don't get me wrong, most people make sure their dogs are out of your way when you run along - that's so polite and appreciated, they always get a wave and a thank you. But for the less "aware" dog owners, it is a little bit annoying. Anyway, that's my rant for today. I feel strangely peaceful now...
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.71miles
Rating: 8
19mins - 2.2miles - 8.40m/m
20mins - 4.7miles - 8.50m/m
The first half of this run was did with a fairly steady pace, which I was quite enjoying. Then however I decided to turn around and do an route I used to do.
That was a bad idea. I'm not sure if I was too tired (I am really tired these days) or if the route was just TOO hilly, but it made me so tired. I wanted to go back to bed when I got in. I vow I won't do that route again, not without having eaten first, or without water at least. I'll need to take a few days rest before Sunday - try and eat well and get a lot of sleep in. I'm out the night before the half so I will really need to make sure it doesn't interfere. I want to be at my peak on Sunday.
As well as this, today something really bad happened. I was running down a forest path and there was a woman walking a fair bit ahead of her dog. The dog stopped and watched me then when I passed, came running alongside me, which was fine...until it then ran behind me. It got tangled in my feet and tripped me up really badly. I had such a struggle to stop myself falling flat on my face, it gave me such a fright. I didn't hurt myself thankfully, but the woman heard my loud footsteps as I scrambled along the ground trying to keep upright and asked if the dog had gotten in my way. I told her that I had tripped over it, and she proceeded to pet the dog and say "good boy, there there" as if the dog was more traumatised than I was! Ok, dogs are stupid, I can accept that, but owners should always know where their stupid dogs are and make sure they're not getting in people's ways. If that had been a little kid running and the dog had tripped up the little kid, I'm sure the woman would have been a lot more sympathetic.
Don't get me wrong, most people make sure their dogs are out of your way when you run along - that's so polite and appreciated, they always get a wave and a thank you. But for the less "aware" dog owners, it is a little bit annoying. Anyway, that's my rant for today. I feel strangely peaceful now...
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Wednesday 29/08
Type: Fartlek
Time: 42mins34secs
Distance: 5.05miles
Rating: 6
11min warm up - 9.14m/m
Then different speeds for 20mins ranging from 45secs to 2mins30secs
Then 10mins26secs cool down - 9m/m
At the very end of this session (as I usually do on fartleks) I did a hill sprint up the massive hill to my house. Took 25secs and usually makes my lungs hurt quite badly, but today I managed it with fairly impressive ease, which was good.
This will be my last speed session before the race on Sunday. My next run will be a mid length just below steady pace one. Something I've also been thinking about recently is energy drinks. That 12.7mile run I did last week I used a bottle of lucozade and a bottle of water. I also use a diluted lucozade for my 10mile run. I don't know if it does actually supply energy though or if it's just a placebo really. Ok, that's a lie, I do know it does supply energy, but I'm not quite sure how much to drink and when. I take some gulps before I know I have a hard part ahead, and a few sips sometimes if I feel water's not enough. Having said that though, but the end of my run I feel quite sick at the thought of the sweetness of lucozade and just want water.
At the 10miler in Toronto they supplied Gatorade which I must say was definitely less sweet, and definitely the most disgusting thing I've ever drunk while running. I also spilled it ALL down me at the first energy stand and so completed the race with a horrible pink stain down my top. Not the most ideal situation I must say.
Anyway, enough talk for today.
Time: 42mins34secs
Distance: 5.05miles
Rating: 6
11min warm up - 9.14m/m
Then different speeds for 20mins ranging from 45secs to 2mins30secs
Then 10mins26secs cool down - 9m/m
At the very end of this session (as I usually do on fartleks) I did a hill sprint up the massive hill to my house. Took 25secs and usually makes my lungs hurt quite badly, but today I managed it with fairly impressive ease, which was good.
This will be my last speed session before the race on Sunday. My next run will be a mid length just below steady pace one. Something I've also been thinking about recently is energy drinks. That 12.7mile run I did last week I used a bottle of lucozade and a bottle of water. I also use a diluted lucozade for my 10mile run. I don't know if it does actually supply energy though or if it's just a placebo really. Ok, that's a lie, I do know it does supply energy, but I'm not quite sure how much to drink and when. I take some gulps before I know I have a hard part ahead, and a few sips sometimes if I feel water's not enough. Having said that though, but the end of my run I feel quite sick at the thought of the sweetness of lucozade and just want water.
At the 10miler in Toronto they supplied Gatorade which I must say was definitely less sweet, and definitely the most disgusting thing I've ever drunk while running. I also spilled it ALL down me at the first energy stand and so completed the race with a horrible pink stain down my top. Not the most ideal situation I must say.
Anyway, enough talk for today.
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Monday 27/08
Type: Longish (slow)
Time: 1hr25mins
Distance: 9.7miles
Rating: 7
49mins - 5.7miles - 8.4m/m
36mins - 3.9miles - 9.1m/m
I ran the first half far too fast for this meant to be a long slow run, and it was very hot so 49mins into it, I slowed the pace right down. This route in the West End is a fantastic one because the mid section is very much equal uphill and downhill, you always feel you have sufficient recovery. And, of course, I played beat the car (BTC for short, because I'm JUST THAT COOL) I raced the 66 and the 159 buses the WHOLE way along Gt Western Road, from the St Georges X end to anniesland! Okay, I did lose the 66 a bit earlier, but I did see the same woman on the 159 the whole way and I kept edging ahead of it!
In retrospect I think that is perhaps what caused the significant drop in pace in the second half actually. Ach well. This week I'm thinking Tuesday off, Wednesday a few short sprints in a mid-lengthed run, thursday a short, steady run plus some rowing/cross-training at the gym. I might be busy on Friday but if I'm not I'd move that to Friday. Then Sunday is the half marathon. So excited about that! Got my race number today!! 12938 (I think) Anyway it's a very high number, I think they must have broken the record from last year surely. Mind you I'm not sure if thousands of people running is a good or bad thing, in some ways it really spurs you on, but in other ways it's really annoying overtaking people and whatnot. That's something which surprised me about the 10miler in Toronto. We started quite near the front and yet my dad and I were practically sprinting past people for the first mile. It was a very relaxed atmosphere, no one seemed to mind being overtaken...which is a total contrast from the Forthside half marathon where I felt like everyone I overtook was glaring daggers in my back afterwards. Maybe I'm being unfair though.
On another unrelated and completely sad note, I'm quite excited to wear my new running shorts in a race! Ok they're not THAT new, but they are the comfiest shorts I've ever had. I was in the new apple store in Buchanan St the other day (anonymous and I were jealously eyeing up all the awesome laptops...well, I don't know about him but I certainly was...) I think if I ever come into money I will buy an ipod nano and the Nike+ run thing. And a good gps heart rate moniter too. I remember that old thing I used to use...and it started skipping times and heart rates...suddenly I'd be at 240bpm during warm up and have run 7miles in 20mins...I used to love that thing. I used to bring it out in class just to show off, haha. (not really) But people used to always want to try it out, it was kind of like having a small, plastic baby which told me when I was working too hard.
Ok not quite, but I was proud of it for the time it lasted.
Time: 1hr25mins
Distance: 9.7miles
Rating: 7
49mins - 5.7miles - 8.4m/m
36mins - 3.9miles - 9.1m/m
I ran the first half far too fast for this meant to be a long slow run, and it was very hot so 49mins into it, I slowed the pace right down. This route in the West End is a fantastic one because the mid section is very much equal uphill and downhill, you always feel you have sufficient recovery. And, of course, I played beat the car (BTC for short, because I'm JUST THAT COOL) I raced the 66 and the 159 buses the WHOLE way along Gt Western Road, from the St Georges X end to anniesland! Okay, I did lose the 66 a bit earlier, but I did see the same woman on the 159 the whole way and I kept edging ahead of it!
In retrospect I think that is perhaps what caused the significant drop in pace in the second half actually. Ach well. This week I'm thinking Tuesday off, Wednesday a few short sprints in a mid-lengthed run, thursday a short, steady run plus some rowing/cross-training at the gym. I might be busy on Friday but if I'm not I'd move that to Friday. Then Sunday is the half marathon. So excited about that! Got my race number today!! 12938 (I think) Anyway it's a very high number, I think they must have broken the record from last year surely. Mind you I'm not sure if thousands of people running is a good or bad thing, in some ways it really spurs you on, but in other ways it's really annoying overtaking people and whatnot. That's something which surprised me about the 10miler in Toronto. We started quite near the front and yet my dad and I were practically sprinting past people for the first mile. It was a very relaxed atmosphere, no one seemed to mind being overtaken...which is a total contrast from the Forthside half marathon where I felt like everyone I overtook was glaring daggers in my back afterwards. Maybe I'm being unfair though.
On another unrelated and completely sad note, I'm quite excited to wear my new running shorts in a race! Ok they're not THAT new, but they are the comfiest shorts I've ever had. I was in the new apple store in Buchanan St the other day (anonymous and I were jealously eyeing up all the awesome laptops...well, I don't know about him but I certainly was...) I think if I ever come into money I will buy an ipod nano and the Nike+ run thing. And a good gps heart rate moniter too. I remember that old thing I used to use...and it started skipping times and heart rates...suddenly I'd be at 240bpm during warm up and have run 7miles in 20mins...I used to love that thing. I used to bring it out in class just to show off, haha. (not really) But people used to always want to try it out, it was kind of like having a small, plastic baby which told me when I was working too hard.
Ok not quite, but I was proud of it for the time it lasted.
Saturday 25/08
Type: Steady
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.9miles (plus 1mile on treadmill)
Pace: 8.30m/m
Rating: 6
Just a steady run around the West End. Ran down alongside the motorway again which is always fun, especially when the sound of the cars is blocked out by my most-likely-ear-damaging music volume. When running along Great Western Road too I play this game I like to call "beat the car"...Essentially I chose a car which is stuck in the nose-to-tail traffic and, yes, I race it. I do try to keep my pace consistent but it does tend to creep up. It's great though because Gt W Road does have a really gradual hill in the middle which tends to really take it out of you on a faster paced run. So when you're actually enjoying going beating the suckers caught in traffic, it really does make the hill easier.
I sometimes amaze myself at the complexity of these games I invent....
Seriously though, on a road like that, running is the fastest way. All in all this was a great run, and I'm glad I kept that pace the whole way. When I got back to the gym I rowed for 20mins (3.5k) and I forgot how much I love it! I then did a cool down run on the treadmill...and forgot how boring that was compared to running outside. I can't believe I used to do that every morning. That WAS my training for the 10k last September, I hardly did any road running at all. I wonder if I did a 10k now what time I would get...I'd hope for under 45mins at least, I'm sure I could really push the pace from this type of run. I'd like to run with somebody for a change sometimes though, that's the only downside to my running, I think. My dad can't run with me because his arm is still healing, and everyone else I know is a cyclist. I thought about joining a running club but truthfully, I think running interfered with Uni last term (amongst other things)...I mean, training for and running a marathon during exams isn't really an ideal situation. But I do want to do that again next year (even though it will be my finals), I'll apply for London, but really would love to run Edinburgh again. Hence I think taking 2/3 nights out a week to go running (when it's nights I study most) wouldn't be a wise idea. But hey, we'll see.
I'm thinking about doing the pedal for Scotland cycle from Glagsow to Edinburgh half way through September. It's quite cheap for students and looks like it could be a good day out! That is if I don't pass out and/or fall of my bike 20miles into it, naturally.
Time: 50mins
Distance: 5.9miles (plus 1mile on treadmill)
Pace: 8.30m/m
Rating: 6
Just a steady run around the West End. Ran down alongside the motorway again which is always fun, especially when the sound of the cars is blocked out by my most-likely-ear-damaging music volume. When running along Great Western Road too I play this game I like to call "beat the car"...Essentially I chose a car which is stuck in the nose-to-tail traffic and, yes, I race it. I do try to keep my pace consistent but it does tend to creep up. It's great though because Gt W Road does have a really gradual hill in the middle which tends to really take it out of you on a faster paced run. So when you're actually enjoying going beating the suckers caught in traffic, it really does make the hill easier.
I sometimes amaze myself at the complexity of these games I invent....
Seriously though, on a road like that, running is the fastest way. All in all this was a great run, and I'm glad I kept that pace the whole way. When I got back to the gym I rowed for 20mins (3.5k) and I forgot how much I love it! I then did a cool down run on the treadmill...and forgot how boring that was compared to running outside. I can't believe I used to do that every morning. That WAS my training for the 10k last September, I hardly did any road running at all. I wonder if I did a 10k now what time I would get...I'd hope for under 45mins at least, I'm sure I could really push the pace from this type of run. I'd like to run with somebody for a change sometimes though, that's the only downside to my running, I think. My dad can't run with me because his arm is still healing, and everyone else I know is a cyclist. I thought about joining a running club but truthfully, I think running interfered with Uni last term (amongst other things)...I mean, training for and running a marathon during exams isn't really an ideal situation. But I do want to do that again next year (even though it will be my finals), I'll apply for London, but really would love to run Edinburgh again. Hence I think taking 2/3 nights out a week to go running (when it's nights I study most) wouldn't be a wise idea. But hey, we'll see.
I'm thinking about doing the pedal for Scotland cycle from Glagsow to Edinburgh half way through September. It's quite cheap for students and looks like it could be a good day out! That is if I don't pass out and/or fall of my bike 20miles into it, naturally.
Thursday, 23 August 2007
Thursday 23/08
Type: Threshold
Time: 43mins
Distance: 5miles
Rating: 6
11.23mins - 1.26miles - 9m/m gentle warm up
12.49mins - 1.56miles - 8.12m/m
11mins - 1.25miles - 8.5m/m
7.41mins - 0.91miles - 8.28m/m
This was a really good run all in all. I'm a bit disappointed with the last pacing, I would have liked to have crept back up to the 8.10/15 m/m pace but hey. My legs did feel a little more tired than usual, I think that was the back to back longer runs, and I did experience a few pains - one in the heel, one in my right calf. However during the warm up I slowed right down and really moved the muscles - stretched my toes and feet right out on every strike and that really seemed to help. I have noticed that my calves have been sore recently - they're the areas which need the recovery I think more so than anywhere else - I think that's maybe because I've been doing more hill running. I'm not sure what the next course of action should be, if I should fall back on the speed on the hills or if I should just try and exclude some hills from my runs. Tough one.
Time: 43mins
Distance: 5miles
Rating: 6
11.23mins - 1.26miles - 9m/m gentle warm up
12.49mins - 1.56miles - 8.12m/m
11mins - 1.25miles - 8.5m/m
7.41mins - 0.91miles - 8.28m/m
This was a really good run all in all. I'm a bit disappointed with the last pacing, I would have liked to have crept back up to the 8.10/15 m/m pace but hey. My legs did feel a little more tired than usual, I think that was the back to back longer runs, and I did experience a few pains - one in the heel, one in my right calf. However during the warm up I slowed right down and really moved the muscles - stretched my toes and feet right out on every strike and that really seemed to help. I have noticed that my calves have been sore recently - they're the areas which need the recovery I think more so than anywhere else - I think that's maybe because I've been doing more hill running. I'm not sure what the next course of action should be, if I should fall back on the speed on the hills or if I should just try and exclude some hills from my runs. Tough one.
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Tuesday 21/08 West Highland Way/Mugdock Run
Type: Easy/Fun
Time: 1hr30mins
Distance: about 10miles
Rating: 4.5
14.09mins - 1.55miles warm up run at 9.07m/m down to the industrial estate where I met my cycling friend. We set out along the West Highland Way and then diverted our path up towards Mugdock Country Park for about 1hour15mins. The hill up there from the WHW is HUGE. It's such a steep hill! So I walked up that, which hurt my legs probably as much as it would have if I'd run...But after that we had a gentle run/cycle round the park, round a pretty loch and a little play in the activity area which, sadly, was only a fraction of the fun I remember it being when I was little!
The run home was slightly faster, simply because it was picth black and so when on road, I had to use my phone as my light (which actually worked surprisingly well shining on my white t-shirt, apparently) I didn't want to get hit my a car, naturally! The roads are very quiet up there, yet there are a few houses and late at night cars tend to speed about, and the roads are very narrow. In contrast to that however, when on the off road parts coming home (ie- back on the WHW) I slowed the pace right down because I couldn't see a thing. As much as having someone shout out "puddle ahead" or "big rock coming up" is useful, it doesn't quite act as a subsitute for a headlamp. When we hit the roads again on the climb back home, I was very surprised because I managed a fairly fast pace up hill, which usually kills me at the end of runs.
In terms of my heel, I must say it was quite sore half way during the run. It did ease off a little - stretching definitely helps - but I'm going to take Wednesday off because I don't want to make it worse. It's sore to touch, almost as if there's a bruise there though there's no inflammation or anything, so I guess we'll wait and see. The worst thing would be having the pain during the half next weekend. I'm thinking I want to schedule a speed session this week and one steady run too, though I'm going to Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon...and I'll be fairly busy this weekend so I'll have to try and schedule a run around that. Next week I want to do 4 runs - perhaps Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Monday being a longish run and Friday being a very easy one. I'm not sure about including speeds next week. I don't want to tire myself too much, but I think if I did some shorter, flat runs, I could include speed quite easily without adding too much strain. I might actually subsitute one run for a cross train in the gym, I'm not sure.
Time: 1hr30mins
Distance: about 10miles
Rating: 4.5
14.09mins - 1.55miles warm up run at 9.07m/m down to the industrial estate where I met my cycling friend. We set out along the West Highland Way and then diverted our path up towards Mugdock Country Park for about 1hour15mins. The hill up there from the WHW is HUGE. It's such a steep hill! So I walked up that, which hurt my legs probably as much as it would have if I'd run...But after that we had a gentle run/cycle round the park, round a pretty loch and a little play in the activity area which, sadly, was only a fraction of the fun I remember it being when I was little!
The run home was slightly faster, simply because it was picth black and so when on road, I had to use my phone as my light (which actually worked surprisingly well shining on my white t-shirt, apparently) I didn't want to get hit my a car, naturally! The roads are very quiet up there, yet there are a few houses and late at night cars tend to speed about, and the roads are very narrow. In contrast to that however, when on the off road parts coming home (ie- back on the WHW) I slowed the pace right down because I couldn't see a thing. As much as having someone shout out "puddle ahead" or "big rock coming up" is useful, it doesn't quite act as a subsitute for a headlamp. When we hit the roads again on the climb back home, I was very surprised because I managed a fairly fast pace up hill, which usually kills me at the end of runs.
In terms of my heel, I must say it was quite sore half way during the run. It did ease off a little - stretching definitely helps - but I'm going to take Wednesday off because I don't want to make it worse. It's sore to touch, almost as if there's a bruise there though there's no inflammation or anything, so I guess we'll wait and see. The worst thing would be having the pain during the half next weekend. I'm thinking I want to schedule a speed session this week and one steady run too, though I'm going to Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon...and I'll be fairly busy this weekend so I'll have to try and schedule a run around that. Next week I want to do 4 runs - perhaps Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Monday being a longish run and Friday being a very easy one. I'm not sure about including speeds next week. I don't want to tire myself too much, but I think if I did some shorter, flat runs, I could include speed quite easily without adding too much strain. I might actually subsitute one run for a cross train in the gym, I'm not sure.
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Monday 20/08
Type: Long
Time: 1hr50mins
Distance: 12.7miles
Pace: 8.6m/m
Rating: 6.5
This was a fantastic run. I felt guilty about not doing a run on Sunday but I didn't return from up north until 11.30pm and I was knackered. I meant to take my running stuff to I'ness with me but I kinda ran out the door and forgot about it. Anonymous was a little bit peeved I think, he wanted to try some new cycle routes on his new bike, but hey. Next time. So today I ran about the West End for a change after I left work. I used to do runs there in the morning before I started my marathon training properly...they were pretty short runs, but today I sort of stuck them all together into one big run just under 13miles. I was really chuffed because I kept a fairly consistent pace throughout the run, and I sped up too at some parts, even towards the end which I never used to be able to do on my long runs. I wonder if it's because I'm doing more speedwork than last time before the half? I just hope it holds.
Only problem here was that afterwards, I had a slight pain in the back of my heel, is that the achilles tendon? It disappeared after a couple of hours and only appeared at the end of the run but it was fairly uncomfortable immediately after the run. It's so annoying! I've been running injury free for a long time now, I used to be injured all the time, I thought I was eating the right nutrients and following the right training plan now...maybe not, it seems.
Time: 1hr50mins
Distance: 12.7miles
Pace: 8.6m/m
Rating: 6.5
This was a fantastic run. I felt guilty about not doing a run on Sunday but I didn't return from up north until 11.30pm and I was knackered. I meant to take my running stuff to I'ness with me but I kinda ran out the door and forgot about it. Anonymous was a little bit peeved I think, he wanted to try some new cycle routes on his new bike, but hey. Next time. So today I ran about the West End for a change after I left work. I used to do runs there in the morning before I started my marathon training properly...they were pretty short runs, but today I sort of stuck them all together into one big run just under 13miles. I was really chuffed because I kept a fairly consistent pace throughout the run, and I sped up too at some parts, even towards the end which I never used to be able to do on my long runs. I wonder if it's because I'm doing more speedwork than last time before the half? I just hope it holds.
Only problem here was that afterwards, I had a slight pain in the back of my heel, is that the achilles tendon? It disappeared after a couple of hours and only appeared at the end of the run but it was fairly uncomfortable immediately after the run. It's so annoying! I've been running injury free for a long time now, I used to be injured all the time, I thought I was eating the right nutrients and following the right training plan now...maybe not, it seems.
Friday, 17 August 2007
Friday 17/8
Type: Threshold/steady
Time: 47mins44secs
Distance: 5.70miles
Rating: 7.5
15.14mins - 1.75miles - 8.42m/m
12.04mins - 1.45miles - 8.20m/m
21.10mins - 2.43miles - 8.45m/m
The middle section of this run was really tough, I didn't feel I was going partcicularly fast, but it was so hilly and I was trying to maintain the speed, I just kinda knackered myself, hence the speed of the last section. Since my dad's operation is postponed I'm going up to Inverness for the weekend, so won't be doing a long run on Sunday. I want to get a near-half distance in and maybe a fast 10 miler before the half marathon on the 2nd. I'll be so gutted if I don't break 1hr 45!!
Time: 47mins44secs
Distance: 5.70miles
Rating: 7.5
15.14mins - 1.75miles - 8.42m/m
12.04mins - 1.45miles - 8.20m/m
21.10mins - 2.43miles - 8.45m/m
The middle section of this run was really tough, I didn't feel I was going partcicularly fast, but it was so hilly and I was trying to maintain the speed, I just kinda knackered myself, hence the speed of the last section. Since my dad's operation is postponed I'm going up to Inverness for the weekend, so won't be doing a long run on Sunday. I want to get a near-half distance in and maybe a fast 10 miler before the half marathon on the 2nd. I'll be so gutted if I don't break 1hr 45!!
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Thursday 16/08
Type: Easy
Time: 31mins50secs
Distance: 3.64miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Rating: 5
Just a wee easy run today, I really wanted to get out even though I wasn't planning to run today (I forgot, the half paced run was for tomorrow) Got up a fair bit earlier today because I needed to do the school run, so was nice to be out earlier for a change. Plus I love speeding past all the traffic when everyone's stuck because of the closed road...I studied for a while earlier and stumbled upon last year's running diary. I had written a little summary at the back about all the things I wanted to achieve this year and I'm so glad to say that a lot of them seem to have happened! I don't like to compare, I hate to dwell in the past or worry about the future but I must say it's nice to think how far you've come in your training.
One thing which worries me slightly however is that before the half marathon last year I had a lot of high mileages under my belt, though very little speed work. These past few months I've been concentrating a lot on speedwork rather than distance (especially since the actual marathon) In retrospect I think I fell back into training too quickly, hence I couldn't face long runs at first. Now however I'm hoping to fit in two good length runs before the GSR at the start of September.
In other news I may be doing a WHW run tomorrow with my cycling friend, that's if he gets the last bus back from Edinburgh tonight. Watch this space...
Time: 31mins50secs
Distance: 3.64miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Rating: 5
Just a wee easy run today, I really wanted to get out even though I wasn't planning to run today (I forgot, the half paced run was for tomorrow) Got up a fair bit earlier today because I needed to do the school run, so was nice to be out earlier for a change. Plus I love speeding past all the traffic when everyone's stuck because of the closed road...I studied for a while earlier and stumbled upon last year's running diary. I had written a little summary at the back about all the things I wanted to achieve this year and I'm so glad to say that a lot of them seem to have happened! I don't like to compare, I hate to dwell in the past or worry about the future but I must say it's nice to think how far you've come in your training.
One thing which worries me slightly however is that before the half marathon last year I had a lot of high mileages under my belt, though very little speed work. These past few months I've been concentrating a lot on speedwork rather than distance (especially since the actual marathon) In retrospect I think I fell back into training too quickly, hence I couldn't face long runs at first. Now however I'm hoping to fit in two good length runs before the GSR at the start of September.
In other news I may be doing a WHW run tomorrow with my cycling friend, that's if he gets the last bus back from Edinburgh tonight. Watch this space...
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Cancelled Run
I was going to run tonight in the "Canal Canter" - a 7k race in Bishopbriggs organised by Springburn Harriers (I think), however one of my dad's clients arranged a meeting with her son, who is an actuary. I spoke to him for a bit...I guess the time is coming to think about career options now. To be honest from the sounds of what he said a Stats degree would be more relevant for that kind of work, I doubt I'd be able to apply "groups, rings and fields"....So yes, I kind of figured that was a bit more important than running plus it meant I was able to come out afterwards and...well, studying was the plan, however I've spent the past while looking up funny pictures of cats and downloading music (legally, of course...)
I was going to run this afternoon but my dad has fractured his arm and I drove him home from the hospital so I thought it best to stay in with him. We watched Malcolm in the Middle. Felt a little guilty for not doing work on my project or running, I have to say. Truthfully though, come late afternoon I'm totally knackered, I'm not entirely sure why. I WANT to run, but the thought of having a bad run (as I seem to have convinced myself it would be) is not a theory I want to put into practice.
According to my home-adapted training schedule I have a threshold run scheduled tomorrow...or one at half marathon pace. The only problem with these kinds of runs is that I tend to slow right down on the hills, so I don't sustain the pace for the entire run. Mind you in the last half marathon, I ended up speeding the first 6 miles and falling right back later, so I don't think I had an equal pace there either. Is that called positive splitting? I don't know.
I was going to run this afternoon but my dad has fractured his arm and I drove him home from the hospital so I thought it best to stay in with him. We watched Malcolm in the Middle. Felt a little guilty for not doing work on my project or running, I have to say. Truthfully though, come late afternoon I'm totally knackered, I'm not entirely sure why. I WANT to run, but the thought of having a bad run (as I seem to have convinced myself it would be) is not a theory I want to put into practice.
According to my home-adapted training schedule I have a threshold run scheduled tomorrow...or one at half marathon pace. The only problem with these kinds of runs is that I tend to slow right down on the hills, so I don't sustain the pace for the entire run. Mind you in the last half marathon, I ended up speeding the first 6 miles and falling right back later, so I don't think I had an equal pace there either. Is that called positive splitting? I don't know.
Wednesday 15/08
Type: Steady
Time: 48mins
Distance: 5.05miles
Rating: 7
19mins - 2.24miles - 8.41m/m
15mins - 1.75miles - 8.37m/m
10mins - 1.05miles - 9.40m/m
This was a pretty tough run, I wanted to do the last 10mins at a very slow pace because I'm thinking of doing another run later on tonight. I felt quite weak today though, I think it's because I was studying so long yesterday I didn't end up eating dinner till 8pm after having lunch at 1pm. I'm also getting a little bit sick of pasta constantly, I think it's upsetting my insides too. I'm not sure if I am wheat intolerant after all. I know I stopped eating frosted wheats (I used to have about 4 bowls a day) and I stopped eating so much bread, and it definitely helped stop the cramps and horrible bloating inside me. Okay so last night I tried to make a baked potato...it couldn't have turned out more wrong if I'd tried. So I never got a nice dinner last night either, maybe that's why I felt so faint today.
Time: 48mins
Distance: 5.05miles
Rating: 7
19mins - 2.24miles - 8.41m/m
15mins - 1.75miles - 8.37m/m
10mins - 1.05miles - 9.40m/m
This was a pretty tough run, I wanted to do the last 10mins at a very slow pace because I'm thinking of doing another run later on tonight. I felt quite weak today though, I think it's because I was studying so long yesterday I didn't end up eating dinner till 8pm after having lunch at 1pm. I'm also getting a little bit sick of pasta constantly, I think it's upsetting my insides too. I'm not sure if I am wheat intolerant after all. I know I stopped eating frosted wheats (I used to have about 4 bowls a day) and I stopped eating so much bread, and it definitely helped stop the cramps and horrible bloating inside me. Okay so last night I tried to make a baked potato...it couldn't have turned out more wrong if I'd tried. So I never got a nice dinner last night either, maybe that's why I felt so faint today.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Tuesday 14/08
Type: Fartlek
Time: 48mins
Distance: 5.8miles
Rating: 6.5
6min50sec warm up, then different speeds from 30seconds to 3minutes. Was trying to work on stride length...like I tell myself everytime I run fast, though I think I was concentrating more on not slowing down. The 30second session was EXTREMELY fast, on a rough muddy path too, so I almost tripped over my own feet. tsk. Something awesome though - one of the roads on the way to my house was closed to all traffic, and so all the roads leading up to it had one lane coned off....an excellent opportunity for some real road running without the fear of being hit by a car!!! Such a good experience, speeding along a main road with all the cars crawling past in the only free lane. Very cool.
Finished with an 8minute gentle run back up to my house at 8.41m/m pace. As speed sessions go, I kind of make up my own rules...I don't know if doing these kinds of sessions help me, but it sure was fun today.
Time: 48mins
Distance: 5.8miles
Rating: 6.5
6min50sec warm up, then different speeds from 30seconds to 3minutes. Was trying to work on stride length...like I tell myself everytime I run fast, though I think I was concentrating more on not slowing down. The 30second session was EXTREMELY fast, on a rough muddy path too, so I almost tripped over my own feet. tsk. Something awesome though - one of the roads on the way to my house was closed to all traffic, and so all the roads leading up to it had one lane coned off....an excellent opportunity for some real road running without the fear of being hit by a car!!! Such a good experience, speeding along a main road with all the cars crawling past in the only free lane. Very cool.
Finished with an 8minute gentle run back up to my house at 8.41m/m pace. As speed sessions go, I kind of make up my own rules...I don't know if doing these kinds of sessions help me, but it sure was fun today.
Monday, 13 August 2007
Some thoughts
I didn't run this morning, even though I kind of wanted to. Sadly the temptation for a lie in before work was just too overwhelming. I need to get out of the habit of setting the alarm to get up for a run and then just snoozing it for an hour and a half until it's time to shower for work. Truthfully though, putting aside my mum's comment about running while ill, maybe that is the reason that my cold has lasted about 3 weeks, going on 4? I seem to be coughing a lot too, I'm a wee bit worried the cold has moved into my chest. I don't think running in the rain helps.
Okay anyway, having been trying to fix my shuffle all night, it's made me think about the songs which I love to run to. I have to say I did enjoy the "solo" run yesterday - the time did pass a lot quicker than I thought it would. However, there are some songs which I will forever remember as running songs...those which slow you down and keep you at a great "plodding along" pace, and those which make you want to run just that bit faster than you ever have before. Being the kind person I am I have decided to note a few on here.
Warm up
Where's your Head at? - Basement Jaxx
Denise - Fountains of Wayne (This song became a million times more awesome after I saw FoW live)
Smile like you mean it - The Killers
Sprint
Feel so Numb - Rob Zombie (I have really vivid memories of turning the treadmill up to the max and just flat out going for it when I first started listening to this song. Ah the days of running in the gym...)
2 songs crashed - Gwen Stefani vs Blur (A mashup...song 2's WOO HOO, with Gwen singing "Now you know you're qualified, you're in the pole position...put it in first gear, step on the pedal and drive...fast" I realise it's about driving, but the principle holds...it makes me want to run...fast)
Threshold
Rebellion(Lies) - Arcade Fire (I NEED to hear this song every time I run, regardless of whether or not I'm running fast. That violin which comes in at the end gives me goosebumps)
Wolf like me - Tv on the Radio (This was the song I finished the Edinburgh Marathon to!!!! I remember picking up the pace at the 25mile mark, where I was CONVINCED I could see the racecourse in the distance. So this song was such a spur on when it came on my ipod. The lyrics are absolutely fantastic. Cheers to the boy who got me into tv on the radio (he knows who he is) ...
Enjoy the Silence 04 - Depeche Mode (it's GOTTA be the 2004 version, it's got pizazz)
Cool Down
Today - Smashing Pumpkins
Supersonic - Oasis
Atlas - Battles
I have loads more, but a few are inappropriate for a clean blog. I like rap and "crunk"...I tend to find that having loud voices screaming and swearing always moves the run along....
That's all for now.
Okay anyway, having been trying to fix my shuffle all night, it's made me think about the songs which I love to run to. I have to say I did enjoy the "solo" run yesterday - the time did pass a lot quicker than I thought it would. However, there are some songs which I will forever remember as running songs...those which slow you down and keep you at a great "plodding along" pace, and those which make you want to run just that bit faster than you ever have before. Being the kind person I am I have decided to note a few on here.
Warm up
Where's your Head at? - Basement Jaxx
Denise - Fountains of Wayne (This song became a million times more awesome after I saw FoW live)
Smile like you mean it - The Killers
Sprint
Feel so Numb - Rob Zombie (I have really vivid memories of turning the treadmill up to the max and just flat out going for it when I first started listening to this song. Ah the days of running in the gym...)
2 songs crashed - Gwen Stefani vs Blur (A mashup...song 2's WOO HOO, with Gwen singing "Now you know you're qualified, you're in the pole position...put it in first gear, step on the pedal and drive...fast" I realise it's about driving, but the principle holds...it makes me want to run...fast)
Threshold
Rebellion(Lies) - Arcade Fire (I NEED to hear this song every time I run, regardless of whether or not I'm running fast. That violin which comes in at the end gives me goosebumps)
Wolf like me - Tv on the Radio (This was the song I finished the Edinburgh Marathon to!!!! I remember picking up the pace at the 25mile mark, where I was CONVINCED I could see the racecourse in the distance. So this song was such a spur on when it came on my ipod. The lyrics are absolutely fantastic. Cheers to the boy who got me into tv on the radio (he knows who he is) ...
Enjoy the Silence 04 - Depeche Mode (it's GOTTA be the 2004 version, it's got pizazz)
Cool Down
Today - Smashing Pumpkins
Supersonic - Oasis
Atlas - Battles
I have loads more, but a few are inappropriate for a clean blog. I like rap and "crunk"...I tend to find that having loud voices screaming and swearing always moves the run along....
That's all for now.
Sunday, 12 August 2007
Sunday 12/08
Type: Long
Time: 1hr 53mins
Distance: 12.7miles
Pace: 8.9m/m
Rating: 8
Longest run I've done since May...which meant it was a bit tough for the last mile or so (especially because of the dreaded uphill home straight) but managed it quite well. The weather was great too - terrible rain and then the brightest sunshine.....before rain again. Only thing was, my ipod shuffle didn't take the rain quite so well....it broke. Gutted. So I had no music for the most part of my run, but it was actually kinda nice for a change.
And also, the coolest thing imaginable (or one of the coolest things at least) happened today. Just after the big hill on Boclair Road...there's a little traffic calming thing which tells you your speed and gives you a =) if you go under 30mph. So, once all the cars had gone past, and I had gotten my breath back from the hill, I picked up the pace a bit and went past it and.....it flashed!!! 6mph and a wee =) was what I got, I was so shocked! I went back to look but cars must've thought I was insane because i stood there for so long...so I just moved on and kept smiling the rest of the run.
Time: 1hr 53mins
Distance: 12.7miles
Pace: 8.9m/m
Rating: 8
Longest run I've done since May...which meant it was a bit tough for the last mile or so (especially because of the dreaded uphill home straight) but managed it quite well. The weather was great too - terrible rain and then the brightest sunshine.....before rain again. Only thing was, my ipod shuffle didn't take the rain quite so well....it broke. Gutted. So I had no music for the most part of my run, but it was actually kinda nice for a change.
And also, the coolest thing imaginable (or one of the coolest things at least) happened today. Just after the big hill on Boclair Road...there's a little traffic calming thing which tells you your speed and gives you a =) if you go under 30mph. So, once all the cars had gone past, and I had gotten my breath back from the hill, I picked up the pace a bit and went past it and.....it flashed!!! 6mph and a wee =) was what I got, I was so shocked! I went back to look but cars must've thought I was insane because i stood there for so long...so I just moved on and kept smiling the rest of the run.
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Friday 10/08
Type: Threshold
Time: 46mins
Distance: 5.4miles
Rating: 8/9
9mins50 - 1.17miles slow at 8.25m/m
8mins46 - 1.18miles fast at 7.27m/m
The run was going well up to this point. The heavens were open for the world to see and I was soaked...which is always the best, except when you're ill. The reason I never ran yesterday, I was at the doctors and I've been put on antibiotics to try and shift this cold and another illness I'm dealing with at the moment.
So after keeping a good pace for about 9mins, I could really feel my stomach churning, muscles acheing and I just needed to get home. Hence:
22mins - 2.6miles slow at 8.55m/m.
Once home I felt better though I don't think I should run while on so much medication again. Decided to wait until Sunday/early Monday to do a long run.
Time: 46mins
Distance: 5.4miles
Rating: 8/9
9mins50 - 1.17miles slow at 8.25m/m
8mins46 - 1.18miles fast at 7.27m/m
The run was going well up to this point. The heavens were open for the world to see and I was soaked...which is always the best, except when you're ill. The reason I never ran yesterday, I was at the doctors and I've been put on antibiotics to try and shift this cold and another illness I'm dealing with at the moment.
So after keeping a good pace for about 9mins, I could really feel my stomach churning, muscles acheing and I just needed to get home. Hence:
22mins - 2.6miles slow at 8.55m/m.
Once home I felt better though I don't think I should run while on so much medication again. Decided to wait until Sunday/early Monday to do a long run.
Wednesday 8/08
Type: Fartlek
Time: 52mins
Distance: 5.84miles
Rating: 7
8 minute jog, followed by 25/30 minutes of random speeds...ranging from 20 second flat out sprints (ok, I only did a few of them and felt like throwing myself into the river to cool down afterwards) to 1 minute speeds, then a gentle cool down and lots of stretching afterwards. It was really hot outside today, good weather to run in. Plus I put new tunes on my ipod which I had in a playlist for somebody, so that always adds a wee bit of excitement to any run!
Time: 52mins
Distance: 5.84miles
Rating: 7
8 minute jog, followed by 25/30 minutes of random speeds...ranging from 20 second flat out sprints (ok, I only did a few of them and felt like throwing myself into the river to cool down afterwards) to 1 minute speeds, then a gentle cool down and lots of stretching afterwards. It was really hot outside today, good weather to run in. Plus I put new tunes on my ipod which I had in a playlist for somebody, so that always adds a wee bit of excitement to any run!
Tuesday 7/08
Type: Easy
Time: 42mins
Distance: 4.8miles
Pace: 8.46m/m
Rating: 4/5
A gentle run with a few more hills than normal. Concentrating on keeping the pace on the hills now. I am conscious, however, that my "easy" runs seem to be getting harder each time...
Time: 42mins
Distance: 4.8miles
Pace: 8.46m/m
Rating: 4/5
A gentle run with a few more hills than normal. Concentrating on keeping the pace on the hills now. I am conscious, however, that my "easy" runs seem to be getting harder each time...
Saturday 4/08
Type: Long
Time: 1hr 22mins
Distance: 9.2miles
Pace: 8.5m/m
Rating: 6
This was a fairly slow long run (or at least it felt fairly slow...I'm not sure how consistant my pacing is) I managed everything well, EXCEPT for the long hill that is Boclair Road. That hill was always a killer on my pre-marathon long runs, especially because it was so early into the run. I'd developed my own rhythm and mentality which enabled me to get up the hill before, though I seemed to have lost it all today. This was the first time I'd been up it since the marathon...and it was just as I remember. Nasty. I didn't stop (I never have going up it) but I certainly felt I could have on the last few steps onto the flat at the top.
However, consoling me completely was the fact that I managed every other run on the route with expert ease - even subconsciously feeling my pace quicken on some. Rock on.
This weekend I didn't get any other running done as I had a visitor, but to be honest (and this is going to become a recurring sentence) I could feel my cold coming back again. So maybe a real rest was in order.
My goal for next week was same as last week, just building up the mileage...only to add some more speed.
Time: 1hr 22mins
Distance: 9.2miles
Pace: 8.5m/m
Rating: 6
This was a fairly slow long run (or at least it felt fairly slow...I'm not sure how consistant my pacing is) I managed everything well, EXCEPT for the long hill that is Boclair Road. That hill was always a killer on my pre-marathon long runs, especially because it was so early into the run. I'd developed my own rhythm and mentality which enabled me to get up the hill before, though I seemed to have lost it all today. This was the first time I'd been up it since the marathon...and it was just as I remember. Nasty. I didn't stop (I never have going up it) but I certainly felt I could have on the last few steps onto the flat at the top.
However, consoling me completely was the fact that I managed every other run on the route with expert ease - even subconsciously feeling my pace quicken on some. Rock on.
This weekend I didn't get any other running done as I had a visitor, but to be honest (and this is going to become a recurring sentence) I could feel my cold coming back again. So maybe a real rest was in order.
My goal for next week was same as last week, just building up the mileage...only to add some more speed.
Friday 3/08
Type: Short Bursts
Time: 44mins
Distance: 5.1miles
Rating: 6/7
7mins warm up with short fast sprints ranging 20-45seconds, then a long cool down. Tried to focus on stride length and make sure some bursts were uphill.
Time: 44mins
Distance: 5.1miles
Rating: 6/7
7mins warm up with short fast sprints ranging 20-45seconds, then a long cool down. Tried to focus on stride length and make sure some bursts were uphill.
Tuesday 2/08
Type: Steady
Time: 51mins
Distance: 6miles
Pace: 8.30m/m
Rating: 6
Just kept going on this run. Didn't set out with any particular distance in mind but did an old favourite route and felt good so kept going. I'm glad I kept this pace, though really did struggle on the hills back up to my house at the end of the run. That's one complaint I have about my area, I love the fact that I'm so near the west highland way and so many other great running places, but every run I do involves some fairly steep hills back up to my house. Even if I can, like in this run, get the hills over with first then do a kind of U-turn back down to my house, I'm knackered by the time I get back. Maybe I will start driving places and running out and back to my car....or maybe the hills do me good....
Time: 51mins
Distance: 6miles
Pace: 8.30m/m
Rating: 6
Just kept going on this run. Didn't set out with any particular distance in mind but did an old favourite route and felt good so kept going. I'm glad I kept this pace, though really did struggle on the hills back up to my house at the end of the run. That's one complaint I have about my area, I love the fact that I'm so near the west highland way and so many other great running places, but every run I do involves some fairly steep hills back up to my house. Even if I can, like in this run, get the hills over with first then do a kind of U-turn back down to my house, I'm knackered by the time I get back. Maybe I will start driving places and running out and back to my car....or maybe the hills do me good....
Tuesday 31/07
Type: Steady
Time: 38mins
Distance: 4.4miles
Pace: 8.38m/m
Rating: 5
This was just a faster easy short run to get my legs loosened up from last week's break. My right knee was twinging a little bit but it disappeared towards the end of the run and stretches at the end really helped. On the way home through Milngavie town centre I saw my next door neighbour (a fellow runner) opening his newly-opened shop. It's always nice to see people you know when you're out pounding the streets!
Time: 38mins
Distance: 4.4miles
Pace: 8.38m/m
Rating: 5
This was just a faster easy short run to get my legs loosened up from last week's break. My right knee was twinging a little bit but it disappeared towards the end of the run and stretches at the end really helped. On the way home through Milngavie town centre I saw my next door neighbour (a fellow runner) opening his newly-opened shop. It's always nice to see people you know when you're out pounding the streets!
Tuesday 24/07
Type: Fartlek
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.48miles
Rating: 7
6 mins warm up, followed by 45secs-2min30 fast bursts with 2min recoveries between, then 9mins cool down. Fairly difficult run, I don't like doing speeds much...but if they help me guess I really should.
Plus,
Type: Easy
Time: 30mins
Distance: 3.6miles
Pace: 8.25m/m
Rating: 7
Ok so this didn't turn out to be a very easy run because, funnily enough I felt a cold coming on and felt I really had to push myself to keep the pace. I'd also had a bad day at work (not that that's an excuse) though I'd not eaten much because I was busy and I had drank an abnormally large amount of coffee...
The rest of this week I developed a cold and didn't want to risk running in case it turned chesty (which amazingly it ended up doing anyway). I was up in Inverness over the long weekend so didn't have much of a chance to run up there anyway (and yes, anonymous, Inverness is a fantastic place - I very much like being up there.... ;-] )
My Goal for the following week was to build my mileage back up...and hope for my immune system to kick in.
Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.48miles
Rating: 7
6 mins warm up, followed by 45secs-2min30 fast bursts with 2min recoveries between, then 9mins cool down. Fairly difficult run, I don't like doing speeds much...but if they help me guess I really should.
Plus,
Type: Easy
Time: 30mins
Distance: 3.6miles
Pace: 8.25m/m
Rating: 7
Ok so this didn't turn out to be a very easy run because, funnily enough I felt a cold coming on and felt I really had to push myself to keep the pace. I'd also had a bad day at work (not that that's an excuse) though I'd not eaten much because I was busy and I had drank an abnormally large amount of coffee...
The rest of this week I developed a cold and didn't want to risk running in case it turned chesty (which amazingly it ended up doing anyway). I was up in Inverness over the long weekend so didn't have much of a chance to run up there anyway (and yes, anonymous, Inverness is a fantastic place - I very much like being up there.... ;-] )
My Goal for the following week was to build my mileage back up...and hope for my immune system to kick in.
1/06/07 - 24/07/07
Completed the Edinburgh Marathon in 3hrs 50minutes, which was something of an achievement for me for my first marathon. My first run after the marathon (on the Sunday) was the following Friday. A basic 3miler, relatively flat and yet I sped round and almost passed out when I made it home. I couldn't have rushed back into the game more quickly if I tried. So I left it a couple of days and that Sunday I ran a good one - same route, same time (funnily enough) though surprisingly it felt wonderful. The following week I built my base back up and managed a few runs in Hyde Park! (Great place for running, especially in the heat)
Following that I ran every other day in Toronto and completed my first race since the marathon - a 10miler on 15/07/07 in 1 hour 22 minutes. Averaged at 8.22 min/mile and came 409/1500 (8/34 in my age group 20-24year old women) So very pleased with that experience.
Ran 4 more times over the next week until I returned home on Saturday 23rd, when I decided I would take it easy for a week. So far in my sights I have the Great Scottish Run on 02/09/07 and perhaps a few 10k's if I can get motivated enough to complete the entry forms....
As for my weekly mileages, they have been somewhat erratic...I seem to get injured a fair amount, and I also seem to pick up every cold which is around. Pre-marathon, from the beginning of the year, my weekly mileages ranged from 12miles to 38 miles, sometimes lying as low as 4miles however when I was ill or injured. Completed the Edinburgh Forthside half marathon with a time of 1hr 45mins, which was my 2nd best running accomplishment yet.
So from the marathon, my wm's have been as follows:
(w/beginning)
4/6 - 29.55
11/6 - 15 (Inverness)
18/6 - 14-18 (lost track of my routes!)
25/6 - 31.60
----
2/7 - 23.70 (Toronto)
9/7 - 30 (Toronto)
16/7 - 22.30 (Nissan Toronto 10miler)
23/7 - 12.75 (Inverness)
30/7 - 24.70
I've put in brackets the things which may have affected my distances, like when I was in Canada I had more time to run because I wasn't working...but then when I was up in Inverness I had no time to run because I was busy with other stuff.
Okay so I'm modifying this now to add in some of the runs I did (just because I had enough time to type them up this morning)
~*~*~*~*~
Sunday 22/07
Type: Long-ish
Time: 1hr6mins
Distance: 7.64miles
Pace: 8.38m/m
Rating: 5.5
Awesome Run. Started a bit slower than usual for a short while but then picked up the pace and felt really good, so just kept running. Fairly good going considering I got back from Canada yesterday and hadn’t slept for about 22 hours the days before. This was a run where I just kept going until I felt like stopping (well, until a certain sister needed a lift somewhere)
Friday 20/07
Type: Steady longer
Time: 55mins
Distance: 6.49miles
Pace: 8.38m/m
Rating: 6.5
Thought I was going a lot faster than I actually was going here. It wasn’t too hot this morning in Toronto but I needed to get back and pack, and I was fairly tired after having a fairly late night last night.
Wednesday 18/07
Type: Fartlek
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.86miles
Rating: 8
6mins48 gentle jog followed by 1min-2min fast sections, with equal timed recoveries. Really felt this because it was very hot, so I took a 6minute jog in between to regain a bit of composure before continuing with the speeds. At the end of the run I did a slow 8min42 cool down. Although this run was hard, I really enjoyed this route through the housing estates. Also saw the same couple out running with a baby’s pram whom I’ve seen nearly every time I’ve been out here.
Won’t be running tomorrow as we are down in St Thomas visiting family.
Tuesday 17/07
Type: Very easy
Time: 21mins
Distance: 2.5miles
Pace: 8.8m/m
Rating: 4
This was just an easy first run since the race on Sunday to see how my muscles were. As it turns out I was only a little sore yesterday, which is good in terms of keeping on running, though maybe I could have put a little more effort in to have gotten the 10miles under 1hr20. Ach well, I was pleased anyway.
Sunday 15/07
Nissan Toronto 10 miler.
Type: Race
Time: 1hr22mins
Distance: 10miles
Pace: 8.22m/m
Rating: 8 (pushed myself quite hard, especially at the end)
Friday 13/07
Type: Speeds
Time: 32mins
Distance: Maybe 4miles? (mapmyrun doesn’t cover the “wilderness” areas of Canada)
Rating: 7.5
Though I’m really not keen on speeds, this session was pretty good – ran along the costal road towards the little town beside the cottage so had magnificent views to spur me on.
Thursday 12/07
Type: Easy
Time: 46mins
Distance: roughly 5.3miles?
Pace: not sure
Rating: 5
This was just an easy run to keep my legs loose.
Wednesday 11/07
Type: Easy
Time: 32mins
Distance: about 3-4miles
Rating: 4.5
A really easy run along the opposite end of the costal road. Wasn’t planning to run today but my dad (the handsome fella in my photograph) wanted to go (he’s training for the 5k this Sunday) so I decided to get into the ol’ running gear and join him. I have to say, I’ve run a lot with him this holiday and I really enjoy having the company. In fact the run last week where we got lost was one of the funnest runs I’ve ever done! We have some pretty good chats while we’re out, and I bring along my new phone which lets me play music out loud, so we have a good singalong to Kasabian and Nirvana…and a corresponding long discussion about music. I sometimes run part of the West Highland Way with my friend who cycles alongside, and that’s really fun too – time seems to pass a lot quicker when you’re blabbing away to someone (even if you don’t end up covering that much distance because you’re focusing more on the chat…) Anonymous has told me that there are some nice places to run/cycle in Inverness and seen as how he’s a cyclist himself (he’s cycled from Glasgow to Inverness at the end of term 2 years running!) maybe the two of us will be able to do a run/cycle combo up there sometime?....
Tuesday 10/07
Type: Steady
Time: 45mins
Distance: roughly 5-6miles?
Pace: ?
Rating: 7
A fairly steady run along the coast with dad. I kept him at my pace for the most part, and he kept up really well! Considering he’s not run since March and only started back last week he put up a really good fight. We stopped half way for a moment’s breather and just to enjoy the scenery really, and although he kept up well, I did run the last mile or so myself just so I knew I’d been able to keep the same pace. Plus, I knew I had a huge bowl of Corn Pops waiting for me back at the cottage so I was partially racing back for that. Everything’s better when there’s food involved, imho.
Monday 9/07
Type: Speeds
Time: 24mins
Distance: 3.2miles
Rating: 9
Hardest run I’ve done to date. The temperature outside was about 40*C and I finshed my half water bottle in the first 15mins. As far as the speeds were concerned, I did a 5min warm up then managed a few 3min speeds at between 6.30m/m and 7.10m/m with short recoveries, however, like I mention in every speed post, I’m REALLY not keen on them. That combined with the scorching heat meant I really felt bad, so I eventually just jogged back to the house( running though a few sprinklers on the way, obviously).
Friday 6/07
Type: Longer
Time: 1hr15mins
Distance: 8.5miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Rating: 8
It was so hot but I wanted to keep going because I felt I needed to do a longish run before the race next Sunday. Somebody actually put their sprinkler out for me to run under, it was VERY kind of them. I didn't even care about all my electronics, I just kinda threw myself under the water and it felt great afterwards.
Thursday 5/07
Type: Tempo
Time: 27mins
Distance: 3.5miles
Rating: 8 (the heat is not a friend)
Did 2.8miles in 21mins, a run of 7.3m/m, then I did 6minutes of recovery. Realised that my left foot was a little sore though along the arch.
Wednesday 4/07
Type: Very easy
Time: 55mins
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: about 10m/m
Rating: 3.5
This was a really, really slow run with dad. He's just getting back into the swing of things so I took the chance to have a jog and a blabber for a change. We were blabbing so much actually (or I was) that we got lost! We wandered off the path at the wrong point and ended up on Chinguacousy, which is very near the house, though we couldn't decide what end of the road we were or, north or south. We wandered about in a little daze for about 5 minutes (probably really amusing passers by) before deciding to try and retrace our steps. Eventually the two of us just laughed, it was all we could do! What a pair of muppets. I remember the song that was playing too at the moment we got lost...Somewhere A Clock is Ticking by Snow Patrol. I found it rather poignant ("I've got this feeling that there's something that I've missed....") yet by old man didn't agree ("turn that down! I'm trying to think....") So yes, we eventually made it home and helped ourselves to some well-earned brekkie.
Tuesday 3/07
Type: Tempo
Time: 1hr 1min
Distance: 6.2miles
Rating: 6
3.2miles easy at 8.3m/m
3miles at what I thought was faster though turned out to be the same pace...
So probably not a tempo run afterall.
Following that I ran every other day in Toronto and completed my first race since the marathon - a 10miler on 15/07/07 in 1 hour 22 minutes. Averaged at 8.22 min/mile and came 409/1500 (8/34 in my age group 20-24year old women) So very pleased with that experience.
Ran 4 more times over the next week until I returned home on Saturday 23rd, when I decided I would take it easy for a week. So far in my sights I have the Great Scottish Run on 02/09/07 and perhaps a few 10k's if I can get motivated enough to complete the entry forms....
As for my weekly mileages, they have been somewhat erratic...I seem to get injured a fair amount, and I also seem to pick up every cold which is around. Pre-marathon, from the beginning of the year, my weekly mileages ranged from 12miles to 38 miles, sometimes lying as low as 4miles however when I was ill or injured. Completed the Edinburgh Forthside half marathon with a time of 1hr 45mins, which was my 2nd best running accomplishment yet.
So from the marathon, my wm's have been as follows:
(w/beginning)
4/6 - 29.55
11/6 - 15 (Inverness)
18/6 - 14-18 (lost track of my routes!)
25/6 - 31.60
----
2/7 - 23.70 (Toronto)
9/7 - 30 (Toronto)
16/7 - 22.30 (Nissan Toronto 10miler)
23/7 - 12.75 (Inverness)
30/7 - 24.70
I've put in brackets the things which may have affected my distances, like when I was in Canada I had more time to run because I wasn't working...but then when I was up in Inverness I had no time to run because I was busy with other stuff.
Okay so I'm modifying this now to add in some of the runs I did (just because I had enough time to type them up this morning)
~*~*~*~*~
Sunday 22/07
Type: Long-ish
Time: 1hr6mins
Distance: 7.64miles
Pace: 8.38m/m
Rating: 5.5
Awesome Run. Started a bit slower than usual for a short while but then picked up the pace and felt really good, so just kept running. Fairly good going considering I got back from Canada yesterday and hadn’t slept for about 22 hours the days before. This was a run where I just kept going until I felt like stopping (well, until a certain sister needed a lift somewhere)
Friday 20/07
Type: Steady longer
Time: 55mins
Distance: 6.49miles
Pace: 8.38m/m
Rating: 6.5
Thought I was going a lot faster than I actually was going here. It wasn’t too hot this morning in Toronto but I needed to get back and pack, and I was fairly tired after having a fairly late night last night.
Wednesday 18/07
Type: Fartlek
Time: 40mins
Distance: 4.86miles
Rating: 8
6mins48 gentle jog followed by 1min-2min fast sections, with equal timed recoveries. Really felt this because it was very hot, so I took a 6minute jog in between to regain a bit of composure before continuing with the speeds. At the end of the run I did a slow 8min42 cool down. Although this run was hard, I really enjoyed this route through the housing estates. Also saw the same couple out running with a baby’s pram whom I’ve seen nearly every time I’ve been out here.
Won’t be running tomorrow as we are down in St Thomas visiting family.
Tuesday 17/07
Type: Very easy
Time: 21mins
Distance: 2.5miles
Pace: 8.8m/m
Rating: 4
This was just an easy first run since the race on Sunday to see how my muscles were. As it turns out I was only a little sore yesterday, which is good in terms of keeping on running, though maybe I could have put a little more effort in to have gotten the 10miles under 1hr20. Ach well, I was pleased anyway.
Sunday 15/07
Nissan Toronto 10 miler.
Type: Race
Time: 1hr22mins
Distance: 10miles
Pace: 8.22m/m
Rating: 8 (pushed myself quite hard, especially at the end)
Friday 13/07
Type: Speeds
Time: 32mins
Distance: Maybe 4miles? (mapmyrun doesn’t cover the “wilderness” areas of Canada)
Rating: 7.5
Though I’m really not keen on speeds, this session was pretty good – ran along the costal road towards the little town beside the cottage so had magnificent views to spur me on.
Thursday 12/07
Type: Easy
Time: 46mins
Distance: roughly 5.3miles?
Pace: not sure
Rating: 5
This was just an easy run to keep my legs loose.
Wednesday 11/07
Type: Easy
Time: 32mins
Distance: about 3-4miles
Rating: 4.5
A really easy run along the opposite end of the costal road. Wasn’t planning to run today but my dad (the handsome fella in my photograph) wanted to go (he’s training for the 5k this Sunday) so I decided to get into the ol’ running gear and join him. I have to say, I’ve run a lot with him this holiday and I really enjoy having the company. In fact the run last week where we got lost was one of the funnest runs I’ve ever done! We have some pretty good chats while we’re out, and I bring along my new phone which lets me play music out loud, so we have a good singalong to Kasabian and Nirvana…and a corresponding long discussion about music. I sometimes run part of the West Highland Way with my friend who cycles alongside, and that’s really fun too – time seems to pass a lot quicker when you’re blabbing away to someone (even if you don’t end up covering that much distance because you’re focusing more on the chat…) Anonymous has told me that there are some nice places to run/cycle in Inverness and seen as how he’s a cyclist himself (he’s cycled from Glasgow to Inverness at the end of term 2 years running!) maybe the two of us will be able to do a run/cycle combo up there sometime?....
Tuesday 10/07
Type: Steady
Time: 45mins
Distance: roughly 5-6miles?
Pace: ?
Rating: 7
A fairly steady run along the coast with dad. I kept him at my pace for the most part, and he kept up really well! Considering he’s not run since March and only started back last week he put up a really good fight. We stopped half way for a moment’s breather and just to enjoy the scenery really, and although he kept up well, I did run the last mile or so myself just so I knew I’d been able to keep the same pace. Plus, I knew I had a huge bowl of Corn Pops waiting for me back at the cottage so I was partially racing back for that. Everything’s better when there’s food involved, imho.
Monday 9/07
Type: Speeds
Time: 24mins
Distance: 3.2miles
Rating: 9
Hardest run I’ve done to date. The temperature outside was about 40*C and I finshed my half water bottle in the first 15mins. As far as the speeds were concerned, I did a 5min warm up then managed a few 3min speeds at between 6.30m/m and 7.10m/m with short recoveries, however, like I mention in every speed post, I’m REALLY not keen on them. That combined with the scorching heat meant I really felt bad, so I eventually just jogged back to the house( running though a few sprinklers on the way, obviously).
Friday 6/07
Type: Longer
Time: 1hr15mins
Distance: 8.5miles
Pace: 8.45m/m
Rating: 8
It was so hot but I wanted to keep going because I felt I needed to do a longish run before the race next Sunday. Somebody actually put their sprinkler out for me to run under, it was VERY kind of them. I didn't even care about all my electronics, I just kinda threw myself under the water and it felt great afterwards.
Thursday 5/07
Type: Tempo
Time: 27mins
Distance: 3.5miles
Rating: 8 (the heat is not a friend)
Did 2.8miles in 21mins, a run of 7.3m/m, then I did 6minutes of recovery. Realised that my left foot was a little sore though along the arch.
Wednesday 4/07
Type: Very easy
Time: 55mins
Distance: 5.7miles
Pace: about 10m/m
Rating: 3.5
This was a really, really slow run with dad. He's just getting back into the swing of things so I took the chance to have a jog and a blabber for a change. We were blabbing so much actually (or I was) that we got lost! We wandered off the path at the wrong point and ended up on Chinguacousy, which is very near the house, though we couldn't decide what end of the road we were or, north or south. We wandered about in a little daze for about 5 minutes (probably really amusing passers by) before deciding to try and retrace our steps. Eventually the two of us just laughed, it was all we could do! What a pair of muppets. I remember the song that was playing too at the moment we got lost...Somewhere A Clock is Ticking by Snow Patrol. I found it rather poignant ("I've got this feeling that there's something that I've missed....") yet by old man didn't agree ("turn that down! I'm trying to think....") So yes, we eventually made it home and helped ourselves to some well-earned brekkie.
Tuesday 3/07
Type: Tempo
Time: 1hr 1min
Distance: 6.2miles
Rating: 6
3.2miles easy at 8.3m/m
3miles at what I thought was faster though turned out to be the same pace...
So probably not a tempo run afterall.
First Post
Welcome to my blog! I'm going to start at the end, meaning I'm going to go back a little bit and start my posts from after my Edinburgh Marathon experience (27/05/07) and I will hopefully become updated soon enough...
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